CITEM launches E-payment

Developing various activities that strengthen trade, investments, and tourism, the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) revolutionizes trade promotion via Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

In a seminar conducted last November 2004 held in Singapore and March 2005 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, AJC benchmarks the development of the business and technical framework of ASEAN trade promotion organizations’ websites. Evolving from the usual information-based website, AJC is embarking on an ICT project which would turn ASEAN trade promotion organizations’ websites to transaction-based with the integration of new website features such as a Japanese-translated website, e-payment system, and a 3D virtual exhibition.

Website enhancement does not end virtually. Developments such as upgraded services and capabilities must be done to make the website eye-catching, information savvy, and convenient in response to clients’ needs and wants. One of which is putting up an online payment service common to transaction-based websites. This specialized feature allows users to do their payment at the convenience of their houses, offices, and wherever they are.

In line with the ICT project, EACOMM, with AJC funding, designed and developed the online payment facility for the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM). This online payment facility will accommodate payments for trade exhibits, seminars and conferences. The CITEM e-Payment service is a hassle-free online payment facility that aims to give ease to exporter-manufacturers as they participate in CITEM events.

Mozcom, the official Internet service provider of CITEM, powers the e-payment system. The new e-payment service will launch CITEM as an online transactional trade promotion organization.

To learn more about this value-added service, CITEM will introduce e-payment at the Manila F.A.M.E. Merchandise Briefing to its participants at Exhibition Hall B, Philippine Trade and Training Center on September 18, 2006, 1:30 p.m. See more of its features as representatives from Mozcomm and EACOMM conduct an orientation.

Experience faster payment transactions that are accessible to clients online, in real time anywhere in the world!

Virtual showroom acts as marketing tool for over 2,800 SMEs

A virtual showroom of Filipino products and services, Catalog Online (COL) served as a marketing conduit for some 2,860 SMEs generating 456 local and foreign buyers for the first half of the year.

Catalog Online is a government-run website exclusive for clients of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), where buyers can access basic information on company profiles and exportable products.

COL features the country’s best in the food, gifts and holiday décor, home furnishings, industrial goods and services, IT- and IT-enabled services, organic, herbal and natural products, and wearable industries.

Meanwhile, COL’s e business twin, the CITEM Trade Opportunities Program (CTOP), is a year-round market-match service where registered company-exhibitors regularly receive a listing of interested buyers by e-mail.

In 2006, 1,440 exporters were referred to 149 inquiring buyers aside from 61 other company-, product- and service-related information inquiries under the program. The gifts, toys and houseware, furnishing and furniture, and fashion accessories sectors attracted 872 referrals, further strengthening the Philippines’ burgeoning reputation as a hub for design.

In addition, Catalog Online generated 119,306 search engine hits using Google’s new traffic report tool.

In the competitive marketing landscape of the Internet, “rankings” and “hits” play a huge part in a website’s search-engine success.

COL boasts a consistent showing in both departments.

The website is ranked number 1 when the keywords “Philippine”, “catalog” and “online” are typed on search engines such as Google and Yahoo!.

Under the common keywords “catalog” and “online”, the website still places fir1st out of 170,000,000 results. Meanwhile, when Internet visitors type in the other keywords such as “Philippine” and “products”, Catalog Online appears number 1 out of 1,080,000 match results in the webpages available in the Philippines and number 13 out of 2,120,000 in the entire worldwide web; and with “Philippine” and “exports”, Catalog Online still finds success placing 6th out of 1,020,000 results on the web.

Buying and selling

“Paradise Mango Rum is the first of its kind in the world. Catalog OnLine helps a lot in terms of promoting our product to foreign buyers interested in Filipino products especially those that are unique,” Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc. President Olivia Limpe–Aw beamed.

Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc., an exhibitor of CITEM-organized International Food Exhibit (IFEX), is the producer of 2003 Trendy-award winning Paradise Mango Rum Liqueur, the first of its kind in the world. The company has been exporting this Filipino product to Switzerland and China. Their unique spirit beverages have also been drawing interest from Canada and the United States.

Mr. Benny Y. Aw, Senior Vice President for International Sales of the company added: “CITEM’s Trade Opportunities Program, as a complement, has given us an opening to further widen our export market; we are currently negotiating with a US-based company. Because of COL and CTOP, Paradise Mango Rum Liqueur and Destileria Limtuaco & Co, Inc.’s products have gone a long way.”

Buying agent Raymond Calaranan, of Calaranan International Creative Group, Incorporated (CICG, Inc.), has been servicing gifts and houseware items from the Catalog Online. A valued client is Mr. Tokuyama who operates Jam Restaurant, an eatery cum souvenir shop in Japan.

“He is an avid fan of Filipino design, making it a point to visit the April edition of CITEM’s Manila F.A.M.E. International every year along with me,” he said. “Filipino-designed gifts and houseware make for good souvenirs abroad.”

The e-business twins COL and CTOP are managed by CITEM, the trade promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry.

*Catalog Online, CITEM E-payment, and the Catalog Online 3D Virtual Exhibit are all projects proudly designed and developed by EACOMM Corporation.