Packaged food rivals boosting Philippine spend

<p>MANILA: Packaged food rivals Nestle and Unilever have turned the </p><p>Philippines into a battleground as they build up their regional market </p><p>share. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Nestle Philippines is investing USdollars 60 million to expand existing </p><p>operations and on marketing its infant nutrition and milk products, </p><p>according to its chairman and chief executive Juan Santos. AMA-Publicis </p><p>handles Nestle's dollars 20 million Philippine account, which the agency </p><p>secured in 1959 for such brands as Nescafe Classic, Milo, Bear Brands, </p><p>Nido and Cerelac. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Nestle's expansion coincides with plans by its Anglo-Dutch competitor to </p><p>expand its regional marketing network. Unilever has linked up with Hong </p><p>Kong trading firm Li & Fung as its distribution partner and plans to </p><p>establish its own distribution centre in the Philippines. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Its partnership with Li & Fung subsidiary JDH Philippines/IDS Logistics </p><p>will help establish a marketing network for its home and personal care </p><p>range. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>