DTI trade fair features indigenous products from Central Mindanao

Gen. Santos City, Philippines - Dozens of entrepreneurs will exhibit in the city until Sunday export-grade domestic food and indigenous products to educate the public on Central Mindanao’s investment potentials.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and domestic producers launched on November 11 here the second “Treasures of Region 12,” a trade fair meant to lure in investors and connect local industries to foreign markets.

Senior officials of DTI’s office in Region 12 helping oversee the activity said 100 entrepreneurs joined the fair at the SM shopping mall here, to last until November 15.

The fair is supported by various business and entrepreneurial blocs in Region 12, which covers the provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, South Cotabato and the cities of Kidapawan, Gen. Santos, Cotabato, Koronadal and Tacurong.

The first ever “Treasures of Region 12” products show was held last year at the same venue.

Ibrahim Guiamadel, director of DTI for Region 12, said he is thankful to the different groups helping push the five-day event forward.

Exhibitors have been displaying since Wednesday various food products and other goods fashioned from indigenous materials, such as bags and home decors, in booths inside the Gensan SM mall.

Guiamadel said he is confident the event will attract investors and buyers of products that can be imported from producers in Region 12.

The region has adequate suppliers of export grade processed foods and indigenous merchandise, according to Guiamadel.

The November 11 to 15 fair will include services meant to improve the local business climate such as crafts special setting, “patok na negosyo trainings,” counseling on financing initiatives and other essential interventions and best trading practices.  

The “Treasures of Region 12” was first launched in 2014 as a strategy of DTI-12 to promote the domestic products of the region.

Last year’s pioneering regional fair generated P4.1 million worth of income for participating traders and entrepreneurs.

At least 63 small and medium entrepreneurs joined last year’s first regional trade fair, also held in Gen. Santos City.

The DTI-12 said it is expecting no fewer than 3,000 visitors to come to the venue of the 2015 regional trade fair.

The five-day event is expected to generate an export sale of no less than $1 million and raise an estimated P10 million investment mark up.