IFEX Philippines 2025 opens strong, backs MSME growth

The country’s premier food trade event, IFEX Philippines 2025, officially opened to a packed crowd on May 22 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM), with over 500 exhibitors and top industry stakeholders in attendance.

Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the event welcomed trade buyers, foreign dignitaries, and local officials, signaling strong industry support for this year’s edition, which also features the Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX) Exhibition and Conference.

CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo led the opening ceremony alongside Deputy Executive Director Ma. Lourdes Mediran and IFEX Project Director Rowena Mendoza. In her address, Ocampo called on public and private sector partners to respond to global trade challenges with agility and unity, emphasizing the importance of collaborative policies to bolster Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“We must continue developing strategies to reach wider markets and empower our MSMEs through product development, certification, and permanent marketing platforms,” Ocampo said, referring to the agency’s expanded mandate under Executive Order No. 75.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque, who served as keynote speaker, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting MSMEs. She highlighted how initiatives like IFEX Philippines and the Bagong Pilipinas Marketplace B2B platform are designed to strengthen domestic enterprises' global competitiveness.

Making a notable appearance at the event was First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, who toured exhibitor booths and engaged with MSME owners to express her continued support for the export sector.

Coinciding with the trade show was the SSX Conference at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), where sustainability took center stage. The European Union–Philippines Green Economy Platform was officially launched, offering a digital hub for stakeholders pushing for a circular economy. EU Head of Cooperation Dr. Marco Gemmer joined CITEM officials in initiating the launch.

In the evening, CITEM honored both local and international partners for their contributions to this year’s event, including PHILEXPORT, PHILFOODEX, INFOMAPP, Huiyuan Culture Development Group, the EU–Philippines partnership, and government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture and the DTI’s Foreign Trade Service Corps.

The event concluded with the announcement of the Special Citations of the KATHA Awards for Food. Top honors for Best Booth went to Escaba Food Products Inc. (individual), Market Reach International (group), and the joint entry of the City Government of Cagayan de Oro and Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental (regional).

With a vibrant first day and a robust turnout, IFEX Philippines 2025 sets a strong tone for the future of Filipino food exports and sustainable enterprise. For more updates, visit ifexconnect.com or follow CITEM on its official social media channels.