RAMADAN TRADE FAIR OPENED. Bangsamoro Autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) officials led by Grand Mufti Abu Hurairah Udasan (left), Rosslaini Sinarimbo, officer-in-charge of the Ministry of Trade and Industry-BARMM (center), and Shalimar Candao, officer-in-charge of the Ministry of Tourism-BARMM (right), answer questions during a press conference (inset) in connection with the opening of the first-ever BARMM Ramadan Trade Fair inside Shariff Kabunsuan Complex, the seat of the BARMM in Cotabato City. The trade fair, which opened on Wednesday afternoon (May 8), is expected to attract multitudes of visitors from all over Central Mindanao until its closing day on the eve of June 5 that marks the end of the month-long fasting period of Ramadan. (Photo courtesy of BPI-BARMM)
COTABATO CITY -- The Ministry of Trade and Industry of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MTI-BARMM) opened Wednesday the first-ever Bangsamoro Ramadhan Trade Fair inside Shariff Kabunsuan Complex, the seat of BARMM in this city.
The trade fair, held in coordination with the region’s Ministry of Tourism (MOT), will open daily at 4 p.m. starting May 8 until the end of the Ramadan period on the eve of June 5. It will highlight the various food and non-food items such as souvenir products by BARMM traders.
The BARMM comprises the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Lanao del Sur; the cities of Cotabato, Marawi and Lamitan; and the 63 villages from six towns in North Cotabato province.
“The Ramadan trade fair this year is more family-friendly as it has a bigger dining area for friends and family and also a common space for visitors,” said Rosslaini Sinarimbo, officer-in-charge of the MTI-BARMM, during a press briefing earlier on Wednesday.
Sinarimbo said the trade fair would have a total of 73 booths highlighting the products made by various tribal communities in the region.
“We want to establish the BARMM compound here as a future tourist destination as it represents the whole of the region," said Shalimar Candao, officer-in-charge of DOT-BARMM.
She said a tour around the complex is also available for visitors that would bring them aboard a BARMM-operated electric vehicle to sights such as Blue Mosque, the Negosyo Center, various modern office buildings, and the trade fair center, among others.
Nightly programs will also be featured during the “iftar” (sunset breaking of the fast) that would run up to midnight.
Sinarimbo said the trade fair intends to generate income for the traders, particularly those from Marawi City who are still reeling off from the destruction brought by the five-month siege perpetrated by a terror group in the area.
“Let us promote the local economy,” Sinarimbo said. The security aspect was arranged to fit the activity’s requirements.
Wearing revealing clothes such as sleeveless shirts, shorts, and the likes are not allowed inside the fair. Motorcycles are also not allowed to enter the BARMM compound. (PNA)
