1st Philippine International Eco-Show opens trade doors for eco-solutions

1st Philippine International Eco-Show. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) September 03, 2010 - Manila, Philippines - The first government-led trade exhibition and conference for the environment, the 1st Philippine International Eco-Show (PINES), paints the country green as it opens its 3-day run from August 26-28 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Positioned to be an annual gathering of the country's environmental stakeholders, a total of 125 exhibitors and an expected 5,000 trade buyers and visitors will flock to the exhibit presenting eco-friendly industrial and lifestyle products, and eco-advocacy booths.

Exhibiting brands include Oriental & Motolite Marketing Corp., Sharp Philippines, Jollibee, Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, Palafox Associates, Pacific Paints (Boysen), Hilmarc's Construction Corp., Petco Renergy, and Holcim Philippines, among others.

PINES is led by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), an attached agency of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

"Through PINES, the DTI commits to be the driver of green growth and industry in the country," said Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, "as we welcome an era where business and sustainable environment are not mutually exclusive but are rather complementary aspects of a progressive Philippines."

As one of the world's most biodiverse regions, the Philippines has started carving its place in the global eco-market pegged at 330-410 billion EURO with the comprehensive Green Philippines Environmental Plan set to motion in recent years.

Landmark laws like the Biofuels Act of 2006, which promotes the use of biofuels to curb carbon emissions; and the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, which promotes the use of alternative renewable energy sources; have opened up the industry towards exploring more green opportunities.

In 2009, the Philippine business sector was dubbed most environment-friendly out of 32 surveyed countries according to global consulting firm Grant Thornton in its annual International Business Report (IBR).

"We hope that through PINES, more businesses will recognize that long-term competitiveness hinges on how their corporate practices and policies affect the environment now," said Thelma Dumpit-Murillo, Deputy Executive Director of CITEM and PINES Project Director.

"As climate change becomes an ever-present reality, there is an urgency to the situation that needs to be addressed with government and civil society working together for a greener tomorrow."

The show also features an international conference entitled "Towards a Greener Earth" with local and international speakers from green centers of excellence like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Nestle Philippines, consulting firm STENUM from Austria, the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines, and the Green Purchasing Network (GPN) in Malaysia.

Speaking on the conference's Green Community Track is UNDP Country Director Renaud Meyer, who believes that partnership for the environment and natural resource management is key to creating synergies for equitable growth and sustainable development.

"The green community track is meant to showcase partnerships [from all sectors of society] as well as the initiatives of communities to reconcile environmental protection with livelihood opportunities," said Meyer.

"UNDP is very pleased to take a proactive role in the organization of PINES... and we also welcome this event as a platform for the exchange of good practices between many countries, to showcase the strong linkages between environmental resources management and poverty reduction, especially towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, and a source of inspiration for UNDP to define its future work in the Philippines," he added.

Other PINES features include the 1st PINES Awards to be held on August 27 as a recognition for the country's finest green champions, products and services; an Eco-Photography Tilt participated in by photographers nationwide; and an Eco-Business Tour of Subic Bay's eco-compliant destinations for select visitors and media on the 28th.

PINES is staged in cooperation with the Philippine Green Building Council (PhilGBC), the Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE), the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It is also supported by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AmCham), the Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources, Inc. , and the Solid Waste Management Association of the Philippines (SWAPP).

For more information, visit www.pines.com.ph.

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