Central Luzon Goes on a Trade and Investment Mission to Japan

The Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc. (CLGCFI), headed by CLGCFI President and Tarlac Governor Victor A. Yap, led the Central Luzon Trade and Investment Mission to Tokyo, Japan on June 17-22, 2016.

The outbound mission aimed to promote Central Luzon as an investment destination, and showcase its best products to Japan, the Philippines’ number one trading partner.

For the trade component of the mission, the Central Luzon delegation participated in the 2016 Philippine Festival Trade Exhibit held on June 18-19 at the Hibiya Park in Tokyo. Said trade fair is the biggest and most awaited Filipino event in Japan. This year, the event also commemorated the 60th year of diplomatic relations of the Philippines and Japan.

With the theme “Likha ng Central Luzon Goes to Tokyo,” the GTH Bulacan Association represented Central Luzon during the trade exhibit and showcased the region’s products such as fashion accessories, Capis lamps, lanterns and decors, embroidered linen, leather bags and coin purse, native bags and wallets, miniature cabinet and foldable trays, and educational toys. The two-day sale generated a total of ¥885,364.00 cash sales and ¥678,288.00 booked orders for the eight (8) participating companies.

For the investment side of the mission which was held on June 20-21, the CLGCFI delegation conducted B2B meetings with groups of Japanese businessmen that generated new business offers and revisited prospects initiated from the 2015 mission.

During the courtesy call to Ambassador Manuel Lopez, he encouraged Central Luzon to continue establishing its presence in Japan through annual investment missions and increased participation in the next Philippine Festival Trade Exhibit by sending as many as 50 SMEs from the whole region to create an impact and awareness on Central Luzon products.

While in Tokyo, members of the trade and investment delegations visited antenna shops that sell Japan-made products that showcase One Village One Product (OVOP). Said shops served as models for benchmark for Central Luzon in terms of strategically positioning the stores and packaging the products.

Both of the trade and investment legs of the mission were made possible thru the assistance of Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Tokyo led by Commercial Counselor Bernardita Mathay, Commercial Attaché Christine R. Dela Cruz, and their special trade representatives.

Governor Yap was joined in the mission by Department of Trade and Industry Region-3 (DTI-3) Regional Director Judith P. Angeles, DTI-Bulacan Provincial Director Zorina D. Aldana, DTI-Tarlac Provincial Director Agnes B. Ramirez, Bulacan Provincial Cooperative and Economic Development Office (PCEDO) PDO-3 Jeremias C. Caguingin, and representatives from the Provincial Government of Tarlac.