All set for the biggest Philippine food exhibition in May

PASAY CITY, Philippines - April 25, 2013 - PRLog -- All is set for the opening of the 9th International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines on 16-19 May 2013 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, Philippines. The organizer expects this year’s edition to round up approximately 500 exhibitors, including some of the Philippines' biggest food brands and leading companies from all over Asia.

Aside from the regional and country pavilions that include the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP- EAGA), Cambodia/Laos/Myanmar/Vietnam (CLMV), China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia-Sabah, Singapore and Taiwan, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will also be represented in the biggest and most respected export-oriented food show in the country.

This year, IFEX Philippines will feature four major product showcases: Power Fruits Asia for main fruit exports such as mango, banana, pineapple and papaya; Seafood Asia for fresh marine produce; Halal Food Asia for quality Halal food products; and Green Asia for healthy, natural and organic food.

Event highlights also include: Mindanao Hall, a showcase of the best and unique food products from Mindanao; 2nd Natural Food and Health Products Festival, a collaboration of local organic food farmers and culinary experts in cultivating and sustaining a healthy and holistic appreciation for organic food and its nutritious benefits; Agri-Aqua Show, a showcase of the freshest marine and agricultural produce from all the regions in the country; and Grocers' Exchange, an exclusive networking venue for Asia's leading grocers and product suppliers.

Recognizing the importance and potential of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), IFEX Philippines also initiated the Partner Province Program with Negros Occidental and the Partner City Program with Pasig City, to help facilitate the transfer of technology on food processing, packaging and marketing that would aid in the expansion of SMEs in the aforementioned areas.

Buyers and visitors to IFEX will be treated to a line-up of special and exciting events organized around the show: from City Tours to culinary demonstrations featuring: a Barista Showdown in cooperation with the Barista Guild Association of the Philippines; and Super Chefs Asia with cooking demonstrations and a culinary competition in partnership with Cook Magazine.

An interesting new feature is the Culinary Craft Spots which will highlight the country’s culture rooted in food through live demonstrations of traditional methods utilized in preparation of known Filipino delicacies.

Food industry seminars will also be offered during the event; focusing on important and critical issues that impact on agribusiness, investments, food retail innovations, import regulations, sourcing patterns and import procedures, quality assurance and safety and Halal and Kosher certifications in both local and international products.

IFEX Philippines is a premier international sourcing hub and gateway to the finest Asian food, ingredients and raw materials. Since 2004, the show has provided food and beverage companies the key venue to promote their products globally and establish and strengthen links with international buyers, importers and retailers. It is organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export marketing arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture-Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS).