Mandaue eyes international exposure in APEC exhibit

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City’s business sector is optimistic that the P5 million budget allocated for the city’s exhibit at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ meetings in Manila next week will give international exposure for the city.

An official of the Mandaue City Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the amount to be spent by the city is “nothing” compared to the publicity Mandaue City will get from it.

“The money, that is nothing to what we will be getting from exposure from international media like Fox News, CNN and many others,” said Clayton Tugonon of MCCI and chairman of Mandaue Expo.

The APEC meetings in Manila are scheduled on November 12 to 19.

Tugonon hopes any of the international news agencies will feature the exhibit even for a few seconds or flash even just the “I am Mandaue” signage that they will put up in their booth.

He said if they will be luckier, media personalities will pick Mandaue products as subject of their side reports.

The Mandaue Expo will be set at the media lounge of the WTC where at least 3,000 media people from all over the world are expected to come, apart from the world leaders like US President Barack Obama.

Marlyn Bedia, vice chair of Mandaue Expo, said the 500-square meter space allotted to them is also the access area to the dining hall, which means delegates and guests who are coming to these meetings will pass by their products.

Noreen Yu, also of MCCI, said they will showcase the locally-made furniture and products like bags and fashion accessories, and delicacies in the expo. 

She said this is a “big opportunity” for the city to introduce its products to the world. 

Tugonon said 78 percent of the furniture all over the country is from Mandaue but not everyone knows that as it is commonly believed that these were imported.

In the past, Tugonon added, the local market had also snubbed them, hence they focused on the international market.

“Gi-snub gyud mi sa una sa locals. Now, we’re catering to the local market as well,” he said.

Although the group admitted that they have problems with logistics and manpower, they still assured that they will do their best for Mandaue. They are only allowed 15 people to man the whole exhibit from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“We will do our best to bring the Mandaue pride to Manila and the whole world. You pray it will be a successful show,” said Tugonon.  (FREEMAN)