DTI Targets Local Auto Industry Expansion with Automechanika Frankfurt Attendance

In support of the growing automotive industry in the Philippines, the Department of Trade and Industry--Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI-CITEM), sent a delegation to participate in the Automechanika Frankfurt, the world's biggest automotive aftermarket event, held from September 11 to 15, 2015 at the Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany.

The country's delegation, which was supported by DTI's Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), Philippine Trade Investment Center (PTIC) in Berlin, Foreign Trade Services Corps (FTSC), the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, as well as business support organizations (BSOs) and other private partners, returned to the prestigious trade fair after 22 years. Using the banner 'Partner Philippines,' the group carried the country's strategic advantages and new trade opportunities in the global automotive value chain.

"Automechanika served as the perfect platform in presenting the Philippines' strategic advantages and industry capabilities to further cement the country's status as a fast-rising automotive manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia," said DTI-CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan.

"The delegation also promoted Philippine companies that have a strong export potential to buyers and investors who visited the Partner Philippines pavilion," she added.

According to DTI-CITEM, over 100 business entities expressed interest in working with the Philippines at the conclusion of the event. Some of the businesses were looking to purchase car seats, automotive electronics, water pumps and batteries. Some were also inquiring about available investment packages regarding the development of a distribution center or manufacturing facility in the Philippines to service the Southeast Asian market.

DTI-CITEM also endorsed some Philippine-based companies at the event, including the Integrated Micro-electronics, Inc. (IMI), URATEX-Bus Seats, Roberts Automotive and Industrial Parts Manufacturing Corporation, Tri-R Allied Industries Inc., JTEKT Philippines Corporation, Tsukiden, BF Metal and P & R Parts & Machineries, Inc.

DTI-CITEM and PTIC-Berlin representatives meanwhile attended business-matching activities organized by the Europe Enterprise Network (EEN) and the German Chamber of Commerce (IHK) Automotive-Cluster Rhein-Main Neckar.