Officially opening its doors today, MAFBEX 2018 is pegged as “The Ultimate Foodventure” as it gathers 300 local and international exhibitors including companies from Vietnam, Korea, and Malaysia.

This year’s MAFBEX also boasts of 500 booths strategically and conveniently located throughout a 15,000-sq.m exhibition hall and is expected to attract close to 60,000 visitors throughout its five-day run.

As is customary, a grand opening launch was held this morning at the lobby of the show venue. Present during the program and ceremonial ribbon-cutting were Senator Cynthia Villar represented by Camille Villar, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Emmanuel Piñol, and Assistant Secretary for the Department of Trade and Industry Depna Naga together with MAFBEX Events Management founding chairman Joseph Ang, co-founder Levi Ang, executive director Archt. Francisco Flameño Jr., president Jill Aithnie Ang, Rene Ramos, and Tessie Roque.

MAFBEX 2018 is committed to empowering the F&B industry through several highlights especially designed to foster industry opportunities. Included in these initiatives are the MAFBEX Seminars, the Food Franchising Zone, and the Regional Agri-Food Zone, which was made possible with the support of DA and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). “MAFBEX 2018 is an advantageous event for investors and trade players alike who are in search of the latest ventures in the F&B trade,” says founding chairman Joseph Ang.

Apart from connecting exhibitors with potential investors, another important component is its ongoing advocacy of learning. For MAFBEX, the growth of the F&B industry also depends on the constant exchange of valuable industry information among its practitioners.

This year, MAFBEX Seminars is back to offer another compelling lineup of topics that addresses key issues concerning today’s F&B market. Among these include a discussion on sustainable food, kitchen management, and climate change; some notes on cutting purchase costs more effectively; insights on getting started in the food business; and a dialogue on the importance of branding and social media among many others.

On the other hand, the trade sectors of the government have also come to appreciate the expo’s hand in empowering local trade communities. “I earnestly hope that through MAFBEX 2018,  all the stakeholders in the Philippine food manufacturing and trade industry will find new inspiration and  determination to empower Filipino farmers, fishers and food industry entrepreneurs towards greater productivity and global competitiveness,” says DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol

Undersecretary for Fisheries and concurrent National Director for BFAR Commodore Eduardo Gongona has also praised MAFBEX for acknowledging regional players as active partners in the inclusive development of the F&B industry. He expressed, “It is an opportune time to foster awareness on safeguarding our natural resources. We strongly urge business players in the food and beverage industry to become our allies in the pursuit for sustainable resource use while promoting sustainable and inclusive growth in the agriculture and fisheries sector.”

Organized by MAFBEX Events Management, a subsidiary of Worldbex Services International, MAFBEX 2018 will run until June 17, from 10:00am to 8:00pm at the World Trade Center Manila.

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