Photo courtesy of DTI Central Luzon
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga -- Entrepreneurs from the seven provinces in the region will have the opportunity to showcase their “great finds and great buys” products in the upcoming Likha ng Central Luzon Trade Fair 2019 at the SM Mega Trade Hall in Mandaluyong City from October 2 to 6.
Zorina Aldana, assistant regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry-3 (DTI-3), said the Likha trade fair is one of the most awaited trade events for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region.
“The Likha Trade Fair is the culminating activity with the assistance of DTI to all small enterprises. This is their venue to promote their products,” Aldana said.
Over 160 MSMEs from Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales are expected to showcase their products to local and international buyers.
Sellers from Aurora are expected to showcase their well-known bamboo, driftwood, and sabutan products.
Bataan MSMEs, on the other hand, will sell their housewares, marine products, and peanut delicacies.
Meanwhile, Bulacan will again showcase their world-class handmade jewelries, turmeric, bags, and sauces.
Entrepreneurs from Nueva Ecija will have their barongs, footwear, and mushroom products to the fair.
Pampanga participants will sell their famous lanterns, homemade nuts, and delicacies while Tarlac will showcase their pottery, home décor, and potato wine.
The best of Zambales’ products such as cashew, bignay wine, and chicharon will also be on sale.
Aldana said a special setting showing prototypes of products that were the results of product “cliniquing” and design development services under the One Town One Product (OTOP) Next Generation project will be featured.
Under the project, the DTI provided MSMEs from Central Luzon with design consultancy, product development services, and packaging and labeling design assistance.
Now on its 21st year, the LikhaTrade Fair has benefited thousands of traders who have participated since 1998.
Central Luzon MSMEs have captured wider markets and mainstreamed their products in major malls and stores because of their exposure in the Likha Trade Fair.
Many of the participating entrepreneurs have been able to sell to some of the big retail chains in the National Capital Region.
Others have already gone to cater to international buyers.
This year, the DTI official said the Likha exhibitors target to earn more than PHP40 million, aside from getting booked orders.
Likha ng Central Luzon Trade Fair is the major regional trade promotion activity jointly organized by the DTI-3 and Philexport-Region 3, with the support of the Regional Development Council–Region 3 and the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc. (PNA)
