14 October 2005 – Philippine Ambassador to Pretoria Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr. reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Philippines will participate in the first ASEAN EXPO (Association of Southeast Asian Nations Trade Tourism and Culture Exhibition or ASEANTEX 2005) – the only trade, tourism and culture exhibition of its size and kind in the entire African continent – which will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 10 – 13 November 2005.

Ambassador Reyes explained that ASEANTEX 2005 will provide the opportunity for ASEAN member-countries to showcase their products and services, and promote their tourism destinations and culture to visitors from South Africa and other parts of the world.

At a reception held at the Philippine Embassy on 28 September 2005 to celebrate the Philippines’ participation in ASEANTEX 2005, Ambassador Reyes stressed the importance of economic diplomacy to aggressively promote the entry of Philippine products and services into a huge merging market like South Africa.

“The economic reforms taking place in the countries of the African continent in their desire to accelerate growth and development bodes well for the Philippines’ economic thrust in the export of its top winners as well as attracting strategic investors in the manufacturing industry, particularly in mining,” Ambassador Reyes stated.

Mr. Zane Dawood, President of Global Exhibitions, the South African company organizing ASEANTEX 2005, spoke about his vision to showcase the best of ASEAN to Africa, and to make the ASEANTEX “a grand annual trade, culture and tourism event to reckon with.”

ASEANTEX 2005 is organized by Global Exhibitions in cooperation with the ASEAN Missions in Pretoria comprised of the High Commissions of Malaysia and Singapore, and the Embassies of Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.  END