THE GIFTS, decor and houseware (GDH) industry has set a target to grow revenue between 5% to 10% annually until 2030 through the creation of a unified brand for exports.
In a statement released on Monday by the Board of Investments, the GDH unveiled MA’I, the industry’s brand name, during the 66th Manila FAME trade show last month.
The FAME show is backed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to showcase high-end export goods.
In 2016, GDH accounted for less than 1% of goods exports.
According to DTI’s promotions investments arm, the GDH industry is currently dominated by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with around 2,412 enterprises mostly in the National Capital Region, Cordillera region, Region 5 and Region 12.
Citing 2015 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), 99.5% of registered companies under DTI also fall under the MSMEs.
According to PSA data released Oct. 10, exports of Christmas decor, the only GDH category tracked by the agency, rose 27.7% in the first eight months of 2017 to $26.37 million.
DTI’s Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions founding Executive Director Mina Gabor in a statement said that the GDH branding exercise is a milestone.
“The brand, MA’I… represents the epitome of our qualities… This unifying program will serve as their gateway to penetrate the international market,” she added.
MA’I is a reference to a civilization in the 9th century Philippines that the Chinese traded with. — Anna Gabriela A. Mogato
