Three teams of student entrepreneurs are heading to Singapore to represent the Philippines in the FedEx Express/Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge Asia Pacific finals on Aug. 12-16.
The PH representatives are composed of teams Pawa Niugini of De La Salle-Lipa, Carranam of St. Scholastica’s College-Manila, and Kawayan of St. Jude Catholic School, which won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively, in the local competition.
This year, 10 teams were shortlisted to present their market entry strategies to introduce an outdoor product in Papua New Guinea. They were tasked to provide details of their product’s unique value proposition, pricing strategies, marketing plans, market entry options, and sales and distribution channels.
Team Pawa Niugini proposed organic charcoal briquettes that burn longer than other types of charcoal and are a natural mosquito repellent. Team Carranam, on the other hand, created a market plan for a survival water filter to address the need for safe and clean water in Papua New Guinea. Team Kawayan drafted a design for the Bambambike, an affordable, durable, and eco-friendly mode of transportation since metal is expensive in Papua New Guinea.
“It is an honor for me to be representing the Philippines. The journey was really difficult and challenging for the both of us as we had to rethink our product,” shared Janna Cuenca of Team Pawa Niugini
She continued, “I had no idea how to prepare a business plan at first, but thankfully, we were still able to make it. I hope to learn more about the business plan development process now that we are going to Singapore.”
The three winning teams will represent the Philippines in the Regional Finals in Singapore, with 54 counterparts from nine other Asia Pacific markets: Australia, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.