CAEXPO 2026: PH positioned as strong trade partner to China, ASEAN

By Joshua Fidel A. Feria |  July 03, 2026

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The Philippines has arrived as a value-enhancing trade partner to China and ASEAN states. As Country of Honor at the China-ASEAN Expo 2026, the Philippines has committed to maximizing its privileges, urging export-oriented small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to pursue business growth on the global platform.

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the Philippines’ export promotion authority, will organize the delegation to the fair, which will run in Nanning, China from September 17 to 21, 2026. The Philippine participation will present dynamic enterprises in the following categories:

• • • home/housewares
    • fashion and wearable gifts
    • food and beverage
    • handicrafts
    • personal care products
    • agricultural products
    • banking, tourism and other services

 

 

Showcasing an exceptional capacity to host global investments and a dynamic ability to innovate, the country will promote its world-class goods and services under PARTNERPhilippines. This CITEM-led industry banner program highlights its competencies as a premier trade and investment partner. The upcoming participation will carry the theme 'Programmed for Business and Growth'—underscoring Filipino enterprises’ technological agility and distinct, growth-driving capabilities.

On its second participation as Country of Honor, the Philippines will receive greater exposure and lead various events in the show. The country will look to build on momentum from CAEXPO 2025,  where 12 companies highlighted world-class food and non-food products, generating USD 18 million in total export sales. Fresh fruit was the country's top-selling product, reflecting a growing demand among Chinese buyers seeking Philippine fruits' distinct taste and texture.

For the 23rd edition of CAEXPO, the Province of Cebu is named the Philippines’ Province of Charm, which will be featured on the platform’s National Pavilion. A premier economic gateway, Cebu leverages its strategic infrastructure and robust manufacturing sector to drive high-value trade within the ASEAN region. Its participation in this year’s CAEXPO underscores the province's capacity for industrial expansion and role as a global investment hub.

The Philippine National Pavilion will also feature Philippine Investment and Tourism showcases in partnership with the Board of Investments (BOI).

Jointly organized by CITEM and the Department of Trade and Industry-Regional Operations Group (DTI-ROG), the Philippine Commodity Hall will spotlight groups from the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan and the Department of Agriculture.

The Philippine Investment Forum will be led by the BOI and will highlight investment opportunities in the areas of tourism, renewable energy, electric vehicles, green metals, high-tech manufacturing, pharma and healthcare, and digital infrastructure and data centers.

The DTI-led Working Committee supporting the Philippine participation in CAEXPO is composed of CITEM, DTI-Regional Operations Group, DTI-Export Marketing Bureau, Foreign Trade Service Corps, the BOI, DTI-Office of the Secretary, and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Guangzhou.

“CAEXPO 2026 is a tremendous opportunity to show the world what the Philippines is capable of,” CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo said. “Filipino MSMEs can establish that the country’s goods and services are of exceptional quality, capable of bringing about growth for their businesses.”

“CITEM is privileged to be supporting our enterprises once again at CAEXPO. We’re optimistic that we’ll be passing new milestones this edition,” Ocampo added.

CAEXPO is an international trade, investment and tourism event jointly confirmed by the leaders of China and ASEAN. The event aims to promote the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) by facilitating cooperation among China and the ASEAN countries. 

CAFTA, which took effect in January 2010, is the third largest free trade zone in trade volume after the European Economic Area and the North American Free Trade Area. Under CAFTA, tariffs on 90% of goods traded with China will be eliminated for Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines. The Free Trade Agreement covers trade in goods, services and investment with a provision on other areas of cooperation such as trade facilitation, technology transfer, human resources development, telecommunications, transport, tourism and sub-regional development projects.

To learn more about CAEXPO 2026, send an email to caexpo2026@citem.com.

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Banner caption: The Philippine participation carries the theme “Programmed for Business and Growth,” emphasizing the country’s distinct, growth-driving capabilities.