Trade expo to showcase export products during Kadayawan

DAVAO CITY -- The Mindanao Trade Expo (MTE) will showcase new designs of export quality products that aims to hit PHP20 million in sales during the Kadayawan Festival.

Mindanao Trade Expo, Inc (MTEI) president Rosevic Del Rosario-Cembrano said the expo will serve as the venue for micro and small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) to promote their products. It is also timed for MTEI’s 23rd-anniversary celebration.

The expo will be held on August 11-17 at Abreeza Mall with at least 120 MSMEs showcasing their "exceptional products," Cembrano told reporters during Wednesday’s Habi at Kape at Abreeza Mall.

Cembrano said the expo is held four times a year as MSMEs regular trading and marketing platform. Through the years the Mindanao-based MSMEs have been their constant partners pursuing initiatives and interventions in cooperation with government agencies, local government units, and the private sector, she added.

"Over the years, our partners have grown in number and amid this development, we have given MSMEs more venues to promote their products and services," she said.

Among MTEI's partners are the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PhilExport), Ayala Abreeza Mall in Davao City and Glorietta Mall in Makati City.

Cembrano said the MTEI will continue to develop more communities and support the development of local entrepreneurs.

Under the community development thrust, the MTEI and its partners introduce material manipulation and designs, which the locales can eventually take advantage of as a source of income.

She said a designer-entrepreneur holds a product development workshop in a community using available raw materials in their area. Once the locals are already capable of making quality products, the designer-entrepreneur will hire them as regular workers, without the need to leave their community.

"By having a regular business with the support of an entrepreneur, the community becomes more empowered as they enjoy regular income," Cembrano added. (Digna D. Banzon/PNA)