Building Products Exports Following Worldbex 2003

Philippines Growing Destination For Building Products Exports Following Worldbex 2003 Success

Auckland, April 10 2003 -- The Philippines building products market is showing great promise after a New Zealand contingent attended the 8th Philippine World Building and Construction Expo as part of a Trade New Zealand Export Network.

New Zealand companies represented at Worldbex 2003, held from March 19 - 23) were Thermakraft (insulating materials and systems), Planhorse Systems Ltd (office filing systems), Ray Broughton (bathroom products and accessories), and Tristyle Homes (prefabricated timber and log homes).

Worldbex is an annual building and construction expo, attracting global market leaders and prime industry movers in a comprehensive exhibition of building and construction products, services and technology. It attracted more than 500 exhibitors from 20 different countries worldwide. It is widely regarded as the largest building and construction trade exhibition in Asia.

Thermakraft and Planhorse, both already exporting to the Philippines, agree that Worldbex is the best venue for companies in the building and construction industry to maximise exposure and open a bigger market for their products and services.

“Worldbex 2003 provided some good market leads for us, and we expect to gain more business as a result of the trip," says Thermakraft's Keith May.

"With 75-odd million people, the market has huge potential. New Zealand products are popular, and we have an advantage in the Philippines because we can cater to smaller orders."

Planhorse's Bob Fenwick says the company has had a "marvelous response and a surge in sales" following the expo.

Trade New Zealand's Manila office, along with four New Zealand companies, participated in the exhibition, showcasing New Zealand products and materials as part of a drive to promote the potential of the Philippines building and construction industry.

“This is the fifth time that Trade New Zealand Manila has participated in this trade fair. Our presence in Worldbex is aimed at achieving sustained awareness for New Zealand’s building products sector in this market,” says Ramoncito Bernales, New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Manila.

New Zealand is seen as price competitive, good at building relationships and fitting in with the locals, says Mr Bernales.

The Philippines, the largest English-speaking country in South East Asia, is an important market for New Zealand forestry products - products exported there include sawn timber, veneer, and board products. Building and wood products are among New Zealand's top 10 exports to the Philippines, earning more than $50 million last year.

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