Six secondary school students have won spots to represent the Philippines in the FedEx Express-Junior Achievement (JA) International Trade Challenge (ITC) regional finals to be held in Hong Kong on August 26 to 29.
Students Jann Ankaa Samantha Jumamil and Ma. Teresita Andrea Gonzales of Colegio de San Juan de Letran (Team 1), Alyssa Anne Arcayena and Mary Joy Dimatatac of Manila Science High School (Team 2), and Marvin Kaiser Sy and Lance Yeung of St. Jude Catholic School (Team 3), presented their winning market-entry strategies in the recently concluded FedEx/JA ITC Philippines competition held in Miriam College.
The participants in the Philippine leg of the competition submitted market- entry strategies to market an innovative product to a chosen country, detailing marketing, promotion, pricing, inventory and distribution plans. Ten teams of two, out of 240 high school students who participated in the program, were selected to present their plans to a distinguished panel of judges. Winners were chosen for their understanding of the significance of market research, creativity, planning, and entrepreneurial skills in entering new markets.
In preparation for the regional finals and as part of FedEx commitment to assist these budding entrepreneurs, FedEx employees volunteered as mentors and workshop facilitators to help students gain a better understanding of international trade and enhance their presentation skills. The three Philippine teams will be competing against 24 other teams from Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Sponsored by FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. and the world’s largest express transportation company, and organized by Junior Achievement (JA) Philippines, the International Trade Challenge program is designed to help students learn about international trade and provide them with an opportunity to set up a mock business and develop a plan to export a product to an overseas market. The program also aims to educate and inspire the young people in the Asia Pacific countries to help them understand how entrepreneurship can improve the quality of their lives and the communities they live in.