AEON Retail Co. Ltd., Japan’s largest retailer, is keen on expanding its sourcing of Philippine products and exploring investment opportunities in the country, acting Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said over the weekend.
Roque met AEON in a recent trade mission to Tokyo on Sept. 12, 2024 and encouraged the retailer to further strengthen its existing trade relationships with Philippine suppliers.
AEON expressed interest in diversifying its import portfolio to include a wider range of food and non-food products from the Philippines.
The company is particularly interested in sourcing “Tatak Pinoy” and OTOP-compliant products to promote authentic Filipino craftsmanship and support local industries. OTOP or One Town One Product is a program of the DTI in support of micro, small and medium enterprises.
The DTI said it is actively working to facilitate AEON’s sourcing activities and ensure that Philippine products meet Japan’s high-quality import standards.
AEON’s trade relationships with Philippine suppliers mainly involve importing bananas and pineapples.
AEON aims to expand this to other food products such as coconut and its by-products, avocados, chocolates and pili nuts.
Both parties also discussed potential collaboration in trade shows and exhibitions, further strengthening the trade ties between the two nations.
