ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the Zamboanga Peninsula Exposition (ZAMPEX) is set to conquer the biggest market in the country as ZAMPEX goes to Manila.
Dr. Sitti Amina Jain, DTI regional director, said Wednesday the exposition, dubbed as “ZAMPEX sa Megamall” will be held from August 1 to 5 this year at the SM Megamall in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.
Jain said the plan to bring ZAMPEX outside of Zamboanga Peninsula is a result of last year’s success hitting over PHP25 million in sales, the biggest in five years since its inception in 2014.
“With the record-breaking sales last year, we are now ready to go out of Zamboanga Peninsula and introduce ZAMPEX to bigger markets,” Jain said.
“Last year’s success is a result of our continuous assistance to our micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in developing their products. This just proves that they are ready for bigger markets,” Jain added.
She said this year’s ZAMPEX is special as DTI is partnering with other national line agencies and the different local government units (LGUs) of Zamboanga Peninsula that will bring the innovative products, investment, and tourism potentials of the region to Manila.
“We have partnered with the Department of Tourism-9, Department of Agriculture-9 and the different provincial and city governments in the whole region to promote Zamboanga Peninsula’s unique products and present the different investment opportunities and tourism potential to the mainstream market,” she explained.
She said a total of 115 MSME exhibitors from all over the region will be participating in this year’s edition of ZAMPEX.
Jain said the activity will feature the most innovative products of local MSMEs to date, as a result of the continuing product development conducted by DTI to make local products at par with commercial counterparts.
She said ZAMPEX will also serve as an avenue for LGUs to present investment opportunities in their area, through the help of the Board of Investment (BOI).
She said her office, in partnership with BOI, will conduct an Investment Session, where investors will be invited for business matching.
The LGUs, in partnership with DOT, will have an opportunity to promote various tourism destinations and tourism-related initiatives in their area where tourists can indulge in.
“All of these are seen to create jobs and income opportunities for the people in the peninsula,” Jain said.
Jain said ZAMPEX sa Megamall will also feature the region’s One Town-One Product (OTOP), Halal-certified products, and its colorful culture through Heritage and the Weavers’ Booth.
This year’s ZAMPEX is anchored on the theme “Innovate, Invest, Indulge”, indeed a fitting storyline for ZAMPEX sa Megamall. (PNA)
