Frequently Asked Questions

FAQS

Please read below all the information you need to know.

About IFEX Philippines

CITEM annually holds signature events and participates in various local and international trade fairs. To see the upcoming local and international events, you may visit: https://www.ifexconnect.com/trade-fairs  or check the Trade Fairs tab on the homepage.

IFEX Philippines (formerly International Food Exhibition) is CITEM's long-running trade event and sourcing program for Philippine and global food and ingredients.


Together with IFEXConnect.com, IFEX Philippines serves as a one-stop business-to-business (B2B) platform aiming to optimize their sourcing experience of buyers from anywhere in the world.


IFEX Philippines is organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions & Missions (CITEM).

CITEM primarily offers export marketing services and partners with local and international private and public organizations to enable MSMEs in export and promotions. To know more, please visit https://www.ifexconnect.com/services or https://citem.gov.ph/services.

Yes, we offer free export trade and marketing seminars and resources. For recordings and resources, kindly follow/ subscribe to our official social media pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ifexphilippines

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CITEMOnline/playlists and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPIZ0n1sSbwcOiXrN0Co33A

CITEM annually holds signature events and participates in various local and international trade fairs. To see the upcoming local and international events, you may visit: www.ifexconnect.com/events or check the Events tab from the homepage.

On the Navigation Menu, go to Show Info > List of Exhibitors / Past Exhibitors and select your preferred year for the list of exhibitors.

 

IFEX Philippines is organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Mission (CITEM), the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

IFEX Philippines is the country's most comprehensive trade promotions program for the domestic food industry, helping Philippine and global exporters promote premium quality food and ingredients to the world through physical and/or digital trade shows and business-to-business platforms, digital marketing efforts, an online community, and a product innovation program.


IFEX Philippines is a part of FOODPhilippines and a program of the Center for International Trade Expositions & Missions (CITEM).

About IFEXConnect

Yes, IFEXConnect is accessible in other countries to optimize the Philippine food sourcing experience for foreign buyers.

IFEX Connect is currently in its trial period and is offered for FREE. No membership fee until further announcement.

As of now, IFEXConnect is a complimentary platform for participating exhibitors of IFEX Philippines. Separate membership fees to follow.

IFEXConnect.com is the digital sourcing platform for premium quality and unique Philippine and global food and ingredients. Through the platform, exhibitors are able to establish their online presence and reach new markets through content distribution and strategic distribution efforts.


As the online home of long-running trade event IFEX Philippines, it offers optimized sourcing, learning, networking, and B2B opportunities for the global food export community 24/7.

Member Inquiries

To ensure the quality of services by IFEX Connect, we highly encourage buyers to submit their feedback and for exhibitors to submit their report. A prompt will appear on the Inbox and Dashboard Activity for every accomplished meeting. Members of the platform may also submit their feedback and/or meeting report through their Dashboard (www.ifexconnect.com/dashboard/reports). 

 

CITEM is working on courier partnerships for discounted rates. For the meantime, buyers may directly connect with exhibitors regarding their requested product samples or orders.

On the Company Page or Product Page, a member may Request a Meeting and attach a proposal to other members. PDF/JPG/DOC/PPT files can be attached with a maximum size of 5MB.

Yes, if you are a registered member, contact details of a company will be available on the Company Page. You may opt to directly send an SMS or email to other members.

If you or your contact is not available at the preferred/requested date and time, the receiving party may either Deny, Approve or Send Message to the requesting party through My Calendar from the Dashboard menu. Deny option will allow the member to select a new date for meeting.

You may connect with other members from the dashboard, and select Buyer Listing. You may also opt to connect through the Company Page or Product Page by Send Message or Request a Meeting functions.

On the Dashboard, go to Bookmarks and proceed to Connections to see your favorite contacts. 

The maximum file size is 500kb JPG/PNG per upload. Companies are recommended to use 900 x 900 pixels at 300dpi for their product photos for optimal display of products on the catalog.

On the Dashboard, go to Product Catalog > Add New Product. Provide the necessary information on required fields and then save.

On your Dashboard, go to Bookmarks and select your preferred product.

On the Navigation Menu, go to Show Info > List of Exhibitors / Past Exhibitors and select your preferred year for the list of exhibitors.

This feature is currently not available on the platform. The default mode of notification is through the Dashboard and linked email address/es. 

 

From the dashboard, go to My Account and update your company information.

Product Inquiry

Minimum order per company may vary. See details on the Product Page or you may directly connect with your preferred exhibitor.

Yes, you may request a sample product from the exhibitor. However, courier services and fees may vary. Please directly connect with your preferred exhibitor.

Advertise with Us

Contact our Business Development Unit at busdev@citem.com.ph to learn more about how IFEXConnect can help your business.

Business Solutions Services

Your solutions should be geared towards exporters. This can be related to training, export marketing, design, product development or other relevant services. Note that companies will be screened prior to acceptance as a Business Solutions Service Partner.

Yes, signing up as a Business Solutions Service Partner is for FREE.

Our basic package is inclusive of company name, company description, logo, contact information, featured services, and a dedicated inquiry form.

  • Must be a duly registered company in the Philippines or in the country where the company has legal personality​
  • Should have services geared towards or applicable to exporters​
  • Should have clear and direct solutions or services beneficial to exporters​
  • Must have online presence (website and/or social media page) 

You may contact our Business Development Unit through email at busdev@citem.com.ph

  1. Those deciding to export ​
  2. Already exporting​

  3. Exporters who want to expand to other markets

  4. Brands that are already established, but need more support for their promotions​

     

Government institutions, NGOs, private corporations/companies, organizations and individuals who offer services, solutions, products, and expertise that can equip local companies to expand their business to global markets.

SHARE YOUR STORY WITH US

Make your brand and products known to the world through IFEXConnect.

Send us a message and let’s talk about doing business online.

A creative community that celebrates the best of Philippine food flavors and ingredients.

Enjoying Malabon and Pampanga’s food without traveling

Instead of going out-of-town to enjoy Pampanga’s pindang damulag or Malabon’s puto pao, two individuals have made it possible to enjoy their city’s specialties at the comfort of your own home.

Enjoying mangoes when its season is done

It’s a dessert in itself, with its bold sweetness, subtle tart, and fruity notes.

Identifying Filipino cuisine through its regions

Taking a tour from north to south, one will discover that adobo varies not only in taste but also in the ingredients used and the cooking methods applied.