1st World Coconut Congress a Success

The inaugural World Coconut Congress held on August 14-16, 2018 at the SMX Convention Center Manila was successful based on feedback from conference delegates, exhibitors and guests.  The event was co-organized by the United Coconut Association of the Philippines (UCAP), Philippine Coconut Authority and the Department of Industries. 

Some 300 conference participants showed up with a good number of overseas delegates (40%).  The exhibition booths were all taken and were receiving many visitors during the three-day event. The business matching facilitated by the Department of Trade and Industry was attended many buyers of various coconut products.  The tour to Villa Escudero on day zero and the Stakeholders’ Night also got good reviews.  

The UCAP Chairman Dean A. Lao, Jr. formally welcomed the delegates of the conference.  Philippine Coconut Authority Administrator Romulo de la Rosa was guest of honor while Senator Cynthia Villar, chairman of Senate Committee of Agriculture and Department of Agriculture Secretary Manuel Piñol were keynote speakers.  Mr. Jesus L. Arranza, president of Coconut Oil Refiners Association formally opened the conference session. 
   
The conference speakers, sessions chairs and topics also got high ratings from the audience who in turn also had good participation at the open forum that followed each session. Products that stood out during the fair based on feedback were virgin coconut oil, coco aminos, coco vinaigrette, coco nectar vinegar, coco sugar, coco syrup, coco flour, coco skimmed milk beverage/powder, coco jam, cocoa/coco sugar snack bites, calming oil.

 
The organizers would like to thank the sponsors of the World Coconut Congress: GOLD: Team Asia Corp., CIIF Oil Mills Group; BRONZE: Chemrez Technologies, JnJ Oil Industries, Differential Pressures Technology, Inc., Oleo-Fats Inc., Laurin, Tapis; EVENT PARTNERS:  Altas Fertilizer Corp., Axelum Resources Corp., Berma Procesys Corp., Cargill, Control Union, Diamond Metal Screens Pvt. Ltd., Franklin Baker Co. of the Philippines, Gem Allied Industries Pvt. Ltd., Linaco Manufacturing  (M) Sdn. Bhd., Mt. Holly Coco Industrial, Inc., Peter Paul Phils. Corp., Primex Coco Products, Pure Essense International, Inc., Reinlab, Tantuco Enterprises, Inc., T&I Global Ltd.  More news next week.