To promote and provide technical details on the upcoming Eco-products International Fair (EPIF) 2009, a briefing session for confirmed and potential exhibitors was held at the Grand Arc Hanzomon, Tokyo, Japan, on 19 December, 2009. The local organizers and implementing agents deputed two speakers from the Philippines to the briefing to provide the exhibitors with event highlights and basic information on the fifth EPIF to be held in Manila, the Philippines, 19-22 March 2009, with the theme “Sustainable Production, Sustainable Consumption, Sustainable Future.” The fifth EPIF, jointly organized by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), Philippines Business for the Environment, and APO, will be held at the SMX Convention Center, Metro Manila’s newest and largest such facility. The briefing was attended by 47 representatives of exhibiting companies and organizations ready to participate in this mega event of the APO.

The session began with welcoming remarks by APO Industry Department Director Takuki Murayama, who briefly outlined the APO’s involvement in Green Productivity (GP) and EPIFs. He emphasized the need for companies to develop eco-friendly products for sustainability as a mid- and long-term strategy.

APO Liaison Officer for the Philippines and Vice Present of the DAP Carlos A. Sayco, Jr. joined Murayama in welcoming exhibitors before expressing his excitement at hosting such an important event in his country. He later gave a presentation on an international conference that will run concurrently with the 5th EPIF from 19 to 21 March 2009. He introduced the conference objectives as being “to discuss and share views on such issues as the importance of eco-innovation, eco-business, eco-financing, and green procurement, purchasing, and marketing strategies for eco-products in the current situation of global economic challenges.” Sayco reported that the DAP was attempting to persuade Philippine President Gloria Arroyo to be the keynote speaker. She expressed great interest and support for the EPIF 2009 and GP initiatives during her meeting with APO Secretary-General Shigeo Takenaka and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Chairman and Chairperson of the EPIF Preparatory Committee Teisuke Kitayama in June 2008 at the first conference on the 2009 EPIF. Jing S. Lagandaon, Global-Link MP Events International Inc., the local implementing agent of the EPIF 2009, then provided exhibitors with details of the fair along with basic information on the host country and various promotional plans.

The exhibitorsf briefing detailed the exhibitorsf manual, shipment of items for exhibit, travel support, etc. and ended with a question-and-answer session. Inquiries were made concerning the host country, points in the guidebook, and promotional activities being undertaken.