E. Visayas SMEs to exhibit products in SM Megamall Trade Fair

 TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 1 (PNA) -- At least 115 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Eastern Visayas will showcase their products in this year’s Bahandi Trade Fair, drawing participation from both old and new exhibitors.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will spearhead the annual trade fair on Wednesday to Saturday next week (Oct. 5-9) at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall in Mandaluyong City.

“This is a follow-up Bahandi this year to sustain marketing efforts. For old exhibitors, this is an opportunity for them to meet their regular buyers again. For the new participants, the fair will help them establish ties with institutional buyers,” said DTI-Eastern Visayas director Cynthia Nierras.

Products up for display in the five-day fair include woven mats, products made of bamboo, lechon (roasted pig), processed seafood, fruit and root crop chips, sticky rice, moron, and binagol.

The trade department targets PHP13 million in sales during the event.

“It also serves as a training ground for micro, small and medium entrepreneurs to gain knowledge in negotiating and dealing with buyers, adjust their costing and pricing that will suit their chosen market,

 and determine the factors that affect their product as they interact with buyers,” Nierras explained.

The DTI field offices are still finalizing the list of participants, but according to Nierras, nearly half of them are first-timers.

“In last year’s Bahandi, we have shown that small businesses managed to recover after super typhoon Yolanda. There is an added challenge now and that is to bring new designs and products,” she added.

In 2015, the trade fair had 88 exhibitors and generated PHP24 million in sales.

This year’s Bahandi, which is the local term for treasure, is anchored on the theme “Promoting Pride… Inspiring Innovation… Celebrating Change”. It aims to showcase the momentum that has driven Eastern Visayas producers in their recovery from the 2013 disaster.

The event is being organized by the DTI in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development, the BAHANDI Producers Association of Eastern Visayas, Inc., the Regional Development Council, and the Department of Tourism regional office. (PNA)
CVL/SARWELL Q. MENIANO