The European buyers took interest in product categories such as Christmas and holiday décor, home décor and furnishings, and furniture.
In total, the 54th edition of Manila FAME contributed US$ 31.29 Million to Philippine exports, a 62 percent increase compared to the show’s previous sales of US$ 19.34 Million during its 53rd edition in October 2010. Manila FAME, dubbed as Asia’s Design and Lifestyle Show, is organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), an attached agency of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
CITEM Executive Director Rosvi Gaetos said that the sales generated was a result of the concerted efforts of CITEM and its co-organizers the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc., Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines, FAME Foundation Philippines, Inc., Association of Negros Producers, Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines (Pampanga Chapter), Christmas Décor Producers and Exporters Association of the Philippines, Hospitality and Wellness Filipinas, Home Accents Group of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Handicraft Industries, Inc., Philippine Exporters, Retailers and Producers Development Association, Inc., Philippine Exporters Confederation, Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation, Inc., and Cebu Gifts, Toys and Houseware.
“Bringing together these design shows not only promoted one brand identity for Philippine-made products, but it also became a way to entice buyers looking for a wide variety of high quality products that have the potential to sell in their respective markets, and that's what Manila FAME was able to achieve. Through this effort, we are optimistic that buyers are increasingly viewing the Philippines as an important design destination in sourcing world-class products,” expressed Gaetos.
The DTI and the European Commission have also been working to improve trade relations through a free trade agreement between the Philippines and the European Union (EU). As the Philippines’
Spain’s largest department store chain, El Corte Ingles was among the European buyers that visited Manila FAME. El Corte Ingles’ representatives held business meetings with local textile manufacturers and looked into doing business with women’s undergarment manufacturers in the Philippines.
“We would like to get information about manufacturers of women's undergarments, because we know there are good manufacturers, brands there (in the Philippines)
Other business deals sealed during Manila FAME were those with foreign buyers such as Britain’s Marks & Spencer, Australia’s Freedom, USA’s Hallmark Cards, Enesco, and Leahy Global Resources, and the US-based Filipino-owned Natori Company.
The show’s 54th edition attracted close to 4,000 local and foreign buyers, an increase of 97 percent over October 2010. What also contributed to the upward trend of export sales and visitor figures were the foreign buying missions from Australia, Korea, India, China, Osaka and Tokyo, Japan, and Taiwan.
For the upcoming Manila FAME edition, CITEM tapped Regalo Fama, an association of Spanish manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of gifts and houseware, in order to promote Philippine products to the Spanish market.
MANILA FAME 2012 GOES BEYOND ARTISANSHIP
Manila FAME makes another groundbreaking move as it consolidates the various design-driven sectors with the fashion industry joining the March show. With the unification of the design community, the upcoming edition promises to be more exciting for buyers and visitors as the show is now dubbed as “A Design and Lifestyle Event”, scheduled from March 14 to 17, 2012 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, Philippines.
The show’s 55th edition also becomes a venue for international design collaboration, bringing together Philippine design icons Antonio “Budji” Layug, Kenneth Cobonpue, and Josie Natori for the curatorship of the show. Layug and Cobonpue will curate the show’s DeXign Zone while Natori will direct the development and launch of the Manila Wear brand for Philippine apparel and accessories. Under Manila FAME’s Merchandise Specialist Program, International Merchandise Specialists Michael Cleghorn and Linda Simpson will continue their role in developing products with local manufacturers that are internationally marketable.
The March show will again bring together four major sourcing events: Manila Now, CEBUNEXT, Bijoux Cebu, and Manila FAME, showcasing products under the theme “Beyond Artisanship.”
Changes in the Manila FAME schedule also took effect in 2011 when the April edition, which mainly highlights furniture and furnishings, was permanently transferred to March to accommodate more visitors and furniture buyers coming in from furniture shows in the Asia-Pacific. Nonetheless, holiday and gift products, and fashion accessories will be exhibited for buyers interested in these product categories and to offer visitors a wider selection of products. Held twice yearly, Manila FAME was previously held every April and October. This year’s October show is scheduled from October 17-20, 2012.
Manila FAME is the highlight of Design Week Philippines, which will be celebrated in March to promote the Philippines as a premier design destination in Asia.
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The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is an export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry.
