A member of the Philippine delegation to the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Bridge Conference here brought with him a Philippine product that is not yet a popular commodity in Turkey.
In exchange, Filipino businessmen are assessing opportunities in Turkey-made products, which, however, are priced higher than goods made in China.
But their interest took the cue from the common sales pitch of both government and business sector which is: If we cant compete with China on prices, then we fight them on quality.
Turkey and the Philippines have something in common. For one, both produce furniture. They reminded us of our carvers in Paete [Laguna] and Pampanga, said Samson Lim, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
Michael Tiu Lim, vice president for operations of Ayala Seafood Corp., has been promoting Mega sardines for his familys company and other Philippine-made products here as vice president of the Zamboanga City Chamber of Commerce.
The family-owned company is not related to the Ayala Corp., the listed holding company of the Zobel family. It is the name of the place where we operate, Tiu Lim said.
A fellow delegate was not as lucky. If Tiu Lim may have a chance at hitting the market in Turkey, where there are only 4,000 Filipino workers, Alwyn Lee, whose family owns a noodle factory, discounted any opportunity here. They, Lee said, referring to Turkish, dont eat noodles.
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