DTI, Shopee tie up for online food fair

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has teamed up with e-commerce platform Shopee Philippines for an online food fair in support of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

In a statement, the DTI said the National Food Fair, which will be held online from May 10 to 16, would feature around 3,500 products including sweets, snacks, beverages, seasonings, staple food, baking ingredients, breakfast food, and healthy food on the Shopee platform.

Last year, the DTI also partnered with Shopee to bring the National Food Fair which featured 29 MSMEs and their food products online amid the pandemic.

The National Food Fair serves as the country’s premier event for Philippine cuisine, heritage food and local ingredients.

By bringing the event online, the DTI and Shopee want to help MSMEs transition to digital marketplaces.

“At DTI, we are working toward empowering MSMEs by expanding and increasing their access to economic opportunities. We have partnered with Shopee to further bolster our support for Filipino MSMEs, especially during this pandemic. With the Online National Food Fair, local businesses can promote their products on a larger scale and help them grow in the long run,” DTI – Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion director Marievic Bonoan said.

To help MSMEs maximize the use of the e-commerce platform, Shopee has been conducting webinars and online consultations for sellers with existing accounts.

“We recognize the impact this pandemic has had on our local businesses. Now more than ever, it is crucial that we provide our local businesses with opportunities to bounce back and stay afloat. Shopee will continue to ramp up its efforts to plan initiatives that support local MSMEs and help them thrive on our platform,” Shopee Philippines director Martin Yu said.

During the food fair, sellers will be able to engage buyers through live streaming.

Buyers may also avail of up to 30 percent discount, while wholesale prices are offered for bulk purchases.

Apart from bringing the food fair on the Shopee platform, the DTI said it also plans to hold a physical show in September.

Shoppers can take part or learn more about the National Food Fair by visiting https://shopee.ph/m/2021-national-food-fair.