PH enterprises in US business mission meet with DTI Secretary Cristina Roque

By: September Grace O. Mahino

WASHINGTON, D.C., USA—The participating Philippine enterprises in an Outbound Business Mission (OBM) in High Point Market, the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world held biannually in High Point, North Carolina, visited the Philippine Embassy on May 1 in the US capital to meet with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque.

Representatives of nine High Point Market participants joined the diplomatic stop: Rain del Rosario of Arksmith; Paolo Feliciano of Calfurn; Evangeline Fernandez, Cherry Mae Ugot, and Gladice Lagac of Filipino Creazione; Bong Salazar and Angelo Cadungog of Finali; Maria Fe and Jeric Rangel of CEP Premium Box Corp; Jennifer Lo of Larone Crafts; Jee Paano of 51 All Weather Furniture Company; Jed Yabut of Jed Yabut Furniture; and Pete and Cathy Delantar of Nature's Legacy.

Also present were DTI Asec. Celynne Layug, the Philippine Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission Jaime Ascalon, Jr., Commercial Counselor at the Philippine Embassy Kenneth Yap, and the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) Chief Trade Industry Specialist Anna Alzona and Project Officer Jojo Parreño.

During the meeting, Secretary Roque emphasized the local furniture industry’s potential for global export, and that realizing this potential entails identifying the right target markets and addressing key challenges. She mentioned DTI’s efforts to help local manufacturers, such as offering its 29 overseas posts as B2B avenues for promoting and selling Filipino products. She also encouraged the visiting entrepreneurs to diversify and consider the local market, adding that she had met with the Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla to address the friction points in doing business with the local government. She then lauded the Philippine delegation’s efforts in participating in international trade shows like the High Point Market as a way for the world to discover the country’s export-quality furniture industry.

On their part, the industry stakeholders conveyed their optimism that the Philippines has the potential to re-establish itself as a key sourcing destination for the US market. They recommended planning and implementing a strategy that ensures the country’s continued presence in the US market through trade shows, showrooms, and business missions.

Secretary Roque was in Washington, D.C. with the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Secretary Frederick Go from April 29 to May 2 to negotiate the Philippines' tariff rate under US President Donald Trump's new tariff policy.

PH’s High Point Market return reaffirms readiness for US market expansion

Organized by CITEM, the export promotion arm of the DTI, the Philippine delegation’s presence in this year’s High Point Market is the country’s first after a 17-year hiatus. It had the participating Filipino businesses, accompanied by High Point Market’s Global Trend Ambassador Patti Carpenter, connecting with several established US brands, major importers, and wholesalers. The delegation’s audience was a mix of buyers that either had previously sourced from the Philippines, have never sourced from the country, or are currently sourcing for Filipino-made products in small volumes; some of the companies from the latter group are Eichholtz, Currey &  Company, Asian Loft, Phillips Collection, Hooker Furnishings, GJ Styles, and Kenas Home.

With High Point Market catering to a diverse range of buyers for the home furniture and furnishings industry, the Philippines’ return signals a strong potential for the country to establish a stronger presence in the US market. The delegation’s efforts to revive the international buyers’ interest in Filipino products lay a solid foundation for future partnerships and increased sourcing opportunities, despite global trade uncertainties due to new tariff policies in the US.