Philippine-made products will be on display at the 81st Tokyo International Gift Show Spring Edition (TIGS), the largest international trade show, at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center from Feb. 3 to 5.

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem), the export marketing arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), brings together Philippine exporters whose products are made from bone china, acacia wood and cast resin to the Japanese market.

CSM Philippines Inc. will spotlight handmade fine bone china tabletop accessories, giftware and other novelty items. Tixxi & Co. will feature bags made from suede and high-quality woods like acacia, carved by local artisans and embellished with fine leathers, crystals, shells and gemstones. Mary Kel Co., Inc. will highlight crafted and hand-painted cast resin shoe collections exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. These decorative pieces were inspired from actual shoe designs from different periods.

In Japan, gift-giving is part of the country’s traditional culture and is essential in building personal and corporate relationships. Gifts are given on holidays and special occasions like age ceremonies, school entrances and graduations, and funerals. According to Yano Research Institute, Japan’s gift market in 2014 reached 9,740 billion yen, or more than double the previous year. Therefore, joining the TIGS is a good opportunity for companies to penetrate Japan’s gift market.

The Philippine exhibitors are among the 2,500 anticipated companies from around the world that will cater to an estimated 200,000 influential international and local buyers in the event.

“Like the gift show’s theme, ‘Success through Globalization-Model Manufacturing,’ participating in the event will not just showcase Philippine artisanship to the world but will help our local exporters to consider adding value to their crafts such as new lifestyle solutions and novel designs,” said Citem executive director Rosvi C. Gaetos.

Citem is committed to developing, nurturing and promoting globally competitive small and medium enterprises (SMEs), exporters, designers and manufacturers by implementing an Integrated Approach to Export Marketing in partnership with other government and private entities. To know more about Citem, visit www.citem.gov.ph.