W. Visayas trade and investment potentials get exposure at Asia-Pacific mayors’ meet

CATBALOGAN CITY, April 9 (PNA) – The trade fair and tourism exhibit held during the United Cities and Local Government – Asia Pacific (UCLG-Aspac) executive bureau meeting here was an excellent venue to promote Eastern Visayas' products and tourist spots to the international market.

Cynthia Nierras, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional director, issued the pronouncement as she thanked the city government here for the opportunity to promote local products and tourist destinations to Asia Pacific cities during the conference.

“It is one of their (UCLG-Aspac) advocacies to help their members, and the trade fair was a way for them to see the products that we have,” Nierras said on Saturday.

This city hosted the executive bureau meeting from April 5 to 7, participated by over 300 officials from 20 local government units in 19 countries from the Asia-Pacific region.

Each of the region’s six provinces were provided with a booth to promote local products marketable in the international scene developed by small and medium enterprises assisted by the DTI and other agencies.

Banig or woven mat from Basey, Samar made out of grass is one of the top sellers, Nierras said.

Hard wood furnitures and houseware items are also popular to event participants, she added.

Naning in China, one of the event participants, expressed its interest to buy food, furniture and accessories from the region needed in hotels and offices in their area, according to Catbalogan City Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan.

Catbalogan and Naning, the capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China, sealed their sisterhood status during the conference.

“I always want to help promote local products not only of Catbalogan and the region but also of the Philippines, and show what we can offer to the world,” Uy-Tan said.

Naning will host the annual China-Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Expo. It is an annual event that exhibits commodities such as food and beverage, consumer goods, raw materials, tourism, advisory and consulting service. It also promotes investment cooperation, advance technology and trade and services.(PNA)
ROEL T. AMAZONA