MANILA, Philippines -- A vintage Willys military jeep is the centerpiece of Philippine-made motor vehicle parts and accessories on display at the Philippine Pavilion of the 2009 Taipei International Auto Parts (AMPA) running from April 14 to 17, 2009 at the TWTC Nangang Exhibition Hall in Taiwan.

The display is a joint project of the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (MVPMAP), the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

?It is the first time for the Philippines to participate in the Taipei AMPA Show, considered as the premier auto parts show in Asia. This is also significant as this is the first time that local auto parts makers have banded together to participate in an international trade exhibit of this magnitude.

?Asian neighbors Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Korea have been joining this show for the last 15 years? says John Lee, MVPMAP Director and head of mission.

This pioneering participation in the 2009 AMPA brings to the fore Philippine ingenuity and craftsmanship as epitomized by the iconic "jeep" which through the years became the backbone and inspiration of the local "jeepney."

According to Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila, "the DTI has recognized the opportunities in Taiwan for the local parts manufacturing industry, both in the market for replacement parts as well as OEM opportunities that combine Taiwanese technology with the expanded and specialised production capacities in the Philippines."

This year's participation by the private sector was made possible through the financial and logistical support of the MECO and the DTI. Being a truly Philippine vehicle, MVPMAP and MECO have chosen the jeep to symbolize the Philippine auto industry and what Philippine auto parts makers can do.

According to Ambassador Antonio I. Basilio, MECO resident representative and managing director, 11 local auto parts makers representing MVPMAP are participating in this four-day Taipei auto parts show: Ambrose Industries, Famous Secret Precision Machining, Fasteners Inc., Laguna Carparts Manufacturing, MD Juan Enterprises, Nito Seiki Manufacturing, OEM Parts Manufacturing, Rado Rubberworks Manufacturing, Roberts AIPMC, Supercast Foundry and Machinery and the VSO Group of Companies.