DTI Regional Director Cynthia Nierras said in an interview Wednesday that the exhibit at Robinsons Place aims to match small producers with local businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, bakeshops, and souvenir shops.
At least 35 small and medium entrepreneurs from six provinces
joined the “Bahandi” trade fair, which opened Tuesday, and which will run until
June 15. “Bahandi” is the local term for wealth.
The event is anchored on the theme, "Celebrating Freedom and
Festivals".
“Let us help patronize local products. Any income they would earn
will redound to the development of their communities. They generate income for
their own, employ locals, and support raw materials suppliers, such as farmers
and fishermen,” Nierras told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
The DTI official noted that many Cebu- and Manila-based buyers
have been patronizing products from Eastern Visayas, but there is still a low
level of awareness in the region on the existence of locally-made processed food,
wearables, and homestyle products.
“You can see a lot of improved products and enhanced packaging and
labeling after years of assistance extended to them. This is a good opportunity
to help sustain the operations of our SMEs,” she added.
Included in the trade fair is a booth of MGM Company, one of the
biggest food packaging and containers suppliers in the Philippines. The company
will provide free consultation on the latest technology and appropriate
packaging for food products.
The local marketing event is part of preparations for the
“Bahandi” trade fair at SM Megamall in October, to be joined by SMEs that are
being assisted by the trade department for years already.
Among the products up for display are lechon (roasted pig), tuba
(coconut wine), tahong (mussel) crackers, turmeric tea, moron (sticky rice with
chocolate), sweet potato chips, chocolate tablets, dried squid, woven mats,
coco shells, and fashion accessories. (SQM/PNA)
No comments:
Post a Comment