Hybrid trade fair to highlight eco-friendly regional products

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set showcase eco-friendly products from the country’s regions by holding a hybrid national trade fair.

In a statement, the DTI said the 2022 Hybrid National Trade Fair is expected to herald the revival of the festive holiday shopping season as Filipinos prepare to celebrate their favorite time of the year.

“Exhibitors from the country’s 16 regions were carefully selected to showcase a rich selection of indigenous products and raw materials, handcrafted and handwoven products, furniture and home decor made from sustainable materials, unique and eco-friendly packaging materials, as well as health and wellness products,” the DTI said.

The five-day event slated on Nov. 16 to 20 at Megatrade Halls 1-3, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (DTI-BDTP) in partnership with the DTI Regional Operations Group, the Design Center of the Philippines and the National Bamboo Industry Cluster.

Featuring the theme ‘Go Green! Go Local!,’ the 2022 Hybrid National Trade Fair continues to advocate for sustainability and inclusivity by featuring green, sustainable, and eco- friendly products as well as artisanal and heritage crafts.

The agency said this year’s national trade fair would be the first physical edition in over two years.

In the previous years of the pandemic, the BDTP and other DTI agencies provided support for the digital transformation of MSMEs through virtual and online events.

“Having assisted MSMEs to establish their digital stores and leveraging on the wider reach of e-commerce platforms, there will be a parallel digital National Trade Fair Mall happening on Lazada at the same time as the physical event,” the DTI said.

It assured fair-goers who wish to enjoy the face-to-face shopping experience, that the event will continue to ensure a healthy and safe environment by providing hygiene stations with hand sanitizers at strategic locations.

“Everyone is still expected to wear a mask at all times and to maintain social distancing. All exhibitors and their staff are fully vaccinated and observe safety protocols,” the DTI said.

Last year, the DTI-BDTP held the virtual national trade fair, the first fully-virtual trade fair in the country.

“The familiar experience of physical trade fairs was shifted to a virtual setting, with a virtual lobby and exhibition halls, interactive digital booths and merchandising displays, teleconferences for business matching, and livestreamed business talks and webinars,” the DTI-BDTP said earlier.

It added that the virtual fair attracted 5,580 visitors from 31 countries, and generated P8.96 million in sales for the 111 MSME exhibitors.