PH exporters win big in NY

Fifteen Philippine home design companies made a strong impression at a recent international furniture fair in New York City, where it made a comeback after a 13-year absence.

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem), the export promotions arm of the Department of Trade and Industry, said the Philippine delegation to the 26th edition of the International Contemporary Furniture Fair gained more than 700 buyer inquiries and recorded over a million dollars in export sales.

Participating local brands included Kenneth Cobonpue; Ann Pamintuan; atelier a; Catalina; Contemporaneo; Industria; Ito Kish; Lightworks; Masaeco; Mayumi; Nature’s Legacy; Prizmic and Brill; Schema; Tadeco Home; and Vito Selma.

Represented under the Design Philippines branding, these companies displayed an impressive collection of certified, export-quality furniture pieces and home products that showcased fine craftsmanship using locally sourced authentic materials.

Design Philippines is a branding initiative that positions the Philippines as a sourcing destination for finely crafted products for the world market.

It is a design movement that nurtures and celebrates the creativity and originality of a globally competitive and passionate community of Filipino designers and craftsmen, Citem explained.

“A very critical audience welcomed back and recognized Design Philippines as one of the top exhibitors, further validating that the brand stood out among the 38 participating countries from all over the world,” Citem deputy executive director Rhea Matute said in a statement.

Matute said the New York design scene’s recognition of the products featured in ICFF was proof enough that the Design Philippines brand was solid and impressive.

“Philippine design is all about going back to the stories behind the artisans and the sustainability of the products. The buyers, visitors, and even the press appreciate these inspiring stories even more,” Matute added.

“Citem is committed to promoting the Design Philippines brand worldwide. We want it to be more widely recognized here and abroad. The Philippines should be—and must be—the undisputed sourcing destination for finely crafted products in Asia,” added Citem executive director Rosvi Gaetos.