By: Nanju Francisco
Manama: A “Philippine Outbound Business Matching Mission” to the Kingdom of Bahrain is being organized from February 11–13, 2023, by the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) based in Dubai and the Export Marketing Bureau of DTI, in collaboration with the Philippine Embassy in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
This was announced by Philippine Embassy’s Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i. Anne Jalando-on Louis.
According to Louis, in order to promote Philippine brands and products in Bahrain and the GCC region, a government-led business delegation consisting of trade officials from the Philippines and representatives from various Philippine companies, including around 11 companies involved in the food, cosmetics, and personal care sectors, will visit Bahrain this weekend to meet their local counterpart. This will present opportunities to strengthen the partnership between the Philippines and Bahrain in the area of trade and economic cooperation.
The Chargé d’ Affaires noted that this year, both nations are celebrating the 45th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Bahrain.
“The objective of the business matching mission is to introduce and provide Bahrain and the GCC Market with some additional Philippine brands and goods. As you can see, there are currently a number of brands of products accessible in supermarkets here, such as food items, but we aim to increase the variety of products that are offered.
“Additionally, it’s possible that Bahraini businesses, including the supermarkets, may look to us as a source for other goods, including the ones we’re trying to promote, which they may have previously purchased from markets other than the Philippines but are also available there. Therefore, we are hoping that customers will try our new products and expand the list of items available on their shelves,” Louis said.
“This business matching mission will undoubtedly increase trade between Bahrain and the Philippines. There are numerous options as well because the Philippine delegation is seeking to find out what the Bahraini side’s sourcing requirements are as well. What is the market’s level of demand? What goods are they looking for? The Bahraini side will also be able to learn about the kinds of things we are promoting and what they can get in the Philippines. Thus, it will be advantageous for both parties. It benefits both of our nations equally.”
CDA Louis observed that there was a good deal of interest, particularly in sourcing food items, but primarily because they catered to the Filipino community. It is necessary to broaden the selection of goods and products that Philippine businesses are advertising so that they appeal to the Bahraini market, as well as Filipino customers.
“We are advising those who are interested to participate in this activity to contact the Philippine Embassy in advance so that we can pre-register them. Because this is a business-to-business matching session, it is crucial for the interested parties to pre-register. We could better plan smaller meetings with the company itself if they register early because we would know what kind of company they are and what products they are offering.
“We are looking forward to this Business Matching Mission and we are inviting retailers, wholesalers, importers and those in the business sector, who may be interested to join us. They will have the opportunity to meet with our product representatives to source food and cosmetics, and personal care items from the Philippines,” she said.
A Business-to-Business (B2B) Matching Session is set to take place, as part of the delegation’s itinerary on February 12, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Wyndham Grand Manama Hotel’s Maple and Palm Rooms.
In order to pre-register for the B2B Sessions, interested parties are advised to get in touch with the Embassy by no later than 10 February 2023 at manama.pe@dfa.gov.ph or by sending a Whatsapp message to +973-39953235 with the following information: name, company, designation, mobile number, and email address.
