- Sustainable Solutions Expo will focus on food and beverage in its first edition at the World Trade Center Metro Manila on May 21-23, 2020.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), is organizing a new trade show named the Sustainable Solutions Expo (SSX) that will showcase international sustainable solutions and technologies. Its first edition is set to be launched at the World Trade Center Metro Manila on May 21-23, 2020.
SSX aims to capacitate Philippine micro-, small-, and medium-enterprises (MSMEs) in pursuing more efficient and ecofriendly means of production in line with DTI’s overall thrust towards sustainability, according to CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan.
In its first edition, SSX will focus on the Philippines’ food and beverage industry—highlighting the latest food-related solutions and technologies and championing local food manufacturers and producers that adhere to environmental and economic sustainability.
“SSX: F&B will highlight local and international sustainable solutions and technologies to encourage and capacitate our local MSMEs and other stakeholders in adopting sustainable methods of production and consumption, that are efficient, safe and ecofriendly, across our value chain,” said Suaco-Juan.
Industry players eyed to exhibit will come from the sectors of organic, healthy and natural food; HALAL/Kosher/Fair Trade/Organic certified products; post-harvest handling technologies and facilities; cold chain, refrigeration and storage facilities; green packaging; ingredients and raw materials providers; waste management and recycling; plastic solutions; green engineering technology; certifying bodies and financial institutions; material resource recovery; and transport and logistics.
Meanwhile, invited in SSX’s first edition are food companies, farm cooperatives, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Local Government Units (LGUs). Also expected to join are the manufacturers, producers, importers and wholesalers, distributors and retailers, venture capitalists, policymakers and regulators, financial institutions, researchers and members of the academe.
“Through the trade event, our MSMEs will gain access to new technologies that they can adopt for more efficient manufacturing, allowing the country to better integrate into the global supply chain. Further, the event will serve as a vehicle to spread awareness on international sustainability initiatives to encourage the public to adapt green consumption and lifestyle,” she added.
Suaco-Juan said CITEM has partnered with the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and is currently in-talks with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to further bolster the event.
SSX: Food and Beverage in Focus
The Philippines is one of Asia’s largest producers of food as its food and beverages (F&B) sector makes up around half of its manufacturing industry.
Roughly 90 percent of the industry’s output is consumed domestically as of 2016 but as quality and efficiency continue to improve, the Philippines will be able to further export opportunities in the region due to its strategic location and membership in various free trade agreements.
According to Suaco-Juan, to strengthen food exports and ensure sustainable growth, the Philippine government recognizes the need for a more efficient and sustainable means and methods of production.
DTI has identified the need to “encourage and support innovation” under its Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 and organize “reverse trade fairs for the manufacturing sector” under its Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2018-2022 to strengthen value and supply chain linkages and promoting green growth which led to the conception of the SSX: F&B.
“SSX:F&B is also spearheaded to fast track the adoption of sustainable consumption and production in the country and contribute to global efforts in preserving the environment as part of the Philippines’ commitment in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, with the United Nations,” said Suaco-Juan.