LOOK FOR NMIS CERTIFICATES WHEN BUYING MEAT FROM WET MARKETS - DTI

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez led the price monitoring of pork, fish, and other agricultural products in three markets in Quezon City last 19 September in the midst of the African Swine Fever (ASF) affecting some areas of Bulacan and Rizal. Sec. Lopez said consumers should ask market vendors for their National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) certificates. This ensures that the products they are buying are clean and safe for consumption. During the price monitoring, DTI found that pork prices are at PHP220/kilo, chicken is at PHP160/kilo and galunggong at PHP180/kilo. DTI monitors prices of agricultural products, as well as basic necessities and prime commodities, every day to check if prices are reasonable. Sec. Lopez encouraged consumers to raise price and consumer concerns to DTI through its 1-DTI (1-384) hotline. Also present at the monitoring trips were DTI Assistant Secretary Ann Claire Cabochan, DTI Director Ronnel Abrenica, DA Director Junibert De Sagun, and NFA Central District Manager Evelyn Medalla.

PRESS STATEMENT OF SECRETARY LOPEZ ON AFRICAN SWINE FEVER IN THE PHILIPPINES

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) joins the Department of Agriculture (DA), in assuring the public that raw pork with certifications from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) and processed pork products from trusted brands are safe to consume and should not be banned in supermarkets and wet markets.

The DTI, along with the DA and the National Food Authority (NFA), monitored the prices of pork products in Farmers Market, Mega Q Mart, and Kamuning Public Market last 19 September. We found that the prevailing prices of pork are around PHP 200 to PHP 220, but vendors say that public fear of the ASF is affecting pork demand.

Meanwhile, Pork meat brands found in supermarkets and groceries certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are produced by the member-companies of the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (PAMPI). These only use raw materials certified by the Veterinary Quarantine Certification by NMIS. These meat products like canned goods and hotdogs are cooked. Therefore, these products are safe to consume and must not be banned.

We also advise the consumers who shop in wet markets to ask vendors to present their NMIS certificates, issued everyday by NMIS. These certificates are proof that these pork products have been tested and found free of ASF.

According to DA Secretary William Dar, there is no national outbreak of ASF. The virus is contained in select areas in Rizal and Bulacan and the DA is currently containing the situation. Hence, we call on the local government units to ease on the total ban of pork products in their areas and allow certified pork products except those from identified areas in Rizal and Bulacan.

ASF is a virus that is contagious to pigs but is not communicable to humans. But we advise the public to thoroughly cook their pork and other meat products to ensure that all bacteria and viruses are eliminated. The DTI-Consumer Protection Group is working closely with the DA to monitor the situation to ensure that consumers always have safe and affordable food options.

DTI-EMB Leads Business Mission to Dubai

The Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), together with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) - Dubai and Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), organizes the Outbound Business Matching Mission (OBMM) to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) for INDEX Dubai 2019 on September 13-21, 2019.

DTI-EMB invited 14 Philippine companies to participate in the business matching meetings and market sensing activities to be held at the NOVOTEL Dubai World Trade Center on September 15, 2019. The companies joining the business mission are: ARDEN Classic, Bidibidi Enterprise, Bon-Ace Fashion Tools, Coast Pacific Manufacturing Corporation, Furniture Doctor, Golden ABC, Kenro Boutique, More Than A Chair, Pascasio Pottery, DELCO Wood Producers Manufacturing/Renditions Furniture and Accessories, Cebu Homecraft, Kit Silver, Mel+Marie, and Betis Crafts.

DTI - Trade Promotions Group (TPG) Undersecretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman said that bringing the Philippines’ contract furniture, furnishings, fashion and apparel sectors in Dubai will help them gain more exposure for INDEX Dubai 2019 and in anticipation for the country’s participation in Dubai Expo 2020 presenting a golden chance to showcase the Philippine country brand.

“The mission will promote industry capabilities directly to prospective partners in UAE,” Macatoman said.

The EMB acknowledges the opportunity for industries to be able to sell to take advantage of all new market developments in the region.

“Middle East still remains to be largely untapped for Philippine lifestyle products but there are concrete indications of interest from buyers,” he added.

The main considerations for organizing this business mission include the inherent strength of the Philippine industries for furniture, furnishings, fashion and apparel; immense opportunity and potential demand in the UAE; and its reputation of being a fertile ground for company setup because of its commitment to sustainable development and economic diversification, progressive-minded government, and liberal corporate policies.

Tapping into the UAE market, the Philippines will benefit from key potential trends pointing to Dubai’s current status as a retail mecca and has seen a massive transformation in the last two decades to become the biggest trader among countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

The GCC with its young and affluent population and overall prosperity presents a very positive environment for retail businesses. Dubai continues to be a lucrative apparel and fashion market with foreign brands popular in the Arab world and fashion retailers discovering the franchise model ideally suited to Middle Eastern conditions. There is also growing niche market of fair fashion with increasing consumer awareness for sustainability, fair trade and eco compliance.

Most importantly, the UAE has a booming real estate sector with rising hotel, commercial, residential construction and housing activity following Dubai Expo 2020. It also has the potential to access many of the 430 million consumers in the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market.

This EMB-led OBMM is a follow up undertaking for the Philippines to promote lifestyle products in the Middle East with the initial visit undertaken in 2015. The business matching meetings will target retailers, distributors, real estate, hotel and resort developers, interior designers, architectural firms, real estate and construction managers and fit-out contractors.

The EMB has identified mega-lifestyle show INDEX Dubai 2019 as the anchor event with Philippine participation being organized and led by DTI-EMB and CITEM. INDEX Dubai 2019 vis-à-vis the Design & Hospitality Week 2019 is the largest and most influential lifestyle exhibition in the Middle East. The show is a meeting point to: discuss options and opinions with other visitors, exhibitors, buyers and distributors; make contacts and strengthen network; or open unlimited prospects for cooperation.

INDEX Dubai 2019 is co-located with other 7 brands of shows – INDEX, The HOTEL Show, Workspace, The LEISURE Show, Surface Design, FIM and INDEX Home. Addressing every aspect of the lifestyle market, INDEX Dubai 2019 will showcase leading companies including the Philippines’ lifestyle sector that are shaping and presenting business development opportunities in all things design, lifestyle and hospitality in the UAE and across the globe.