The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotions arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), has surpassed its USD66.49 million target export sales by an impressive 1,240%, hitting total export sales of USD824.719 million in 2022.
CITEM exceeded its export sales target by USD758.229 million, or PHP42.221 billion, while spending PHP92.182 million on the implementation of its 18 projects.
“CITEM’s outstanding performance demonstrates the agency’s commitment to not only promoting the Philippine export industry but constantly enhancing its services to adapt to changing global demands and better serve its stakeholders. We will build on this success and continue to innovate to achieve more dynamic growth in the future,” CITEM Executive Director Dr. Edward Fereira said.
CITEM also went beyond its target number of exhibitors, trade buyers, and inquiries. The number of exhibitors reached 1,976 against a target of 718, while the number of trade buyers also exceeded the target of 2,684, hitting 4,038. Trade inquiries quadrupled to 23,317 against the target of 5,691.
The Commission on Audit (COA) noted CITEM’s remarkable performance in its annual audit report, saying the increase in export sales can be attributed to the physical return of one of its signature events in 2022, IFEX Philippines, as well as other overseas trade events.
This year, IFEX Philippines accomplished another feat, increasing export sales by 65.53% compared to the 2022 edition, totaling USD163 million in actual and negotiated export sales. Aimed at promoting the country’s premium-quality food products and services, IFEX Philippines attracted over 9,600 total visitors, composed of local and foreign trade buyers, private and government partners, media, and the general public.
Aside from IFEX Philippines, CITEM successfully held the digital events FAME+ Market Days, Creative Futures, and Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX) in 2022. The agency also spearheaded the country’s participation in overseas trade fairs such as Gulfood in Dubai, the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, and SIAL in Paris.
