CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The first virtual Likha ng Central Luzon trade fair served as a viable option for the region’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to gain exposure and opportunities to generate sales amid the pandemic.
As MSMEs are among the sectors adversely affected by the health crisis, the five-day trade fair gave them a virtual experience and opportunities to reach out to wider clients amid movement restrictions.
A total of 103 MSMEs in the region participated in the virtual trade fair set from October 13 to 17.
Warren Serrano, information officer of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 3 (Central Luzon), said the virtual platform enabled the participating MSMEs to connect and do business locally and internationally.
Serrano said although the sales of MSMEs in this year’s trade fair are expected to decline compared with the past trade shows, it gave the participants the opportunity to promote their products in local and international markets.
“It is more than the amount of sales. It is the continuity of our program for the MSMEs. It is the continuity of the promotion of MSMEs’ products, not only locally but also internationally, and this trade fair served as a venue to do that,” he said in an interview with a regional television network on Friday.
Last year, the Likha ng Central Luzon trade fair generated more than PHP60 million in total sales over five days.
While acknowledging that there is no substitute for face-to-face contact with potential clients, Serrano said the exposure that the MSMEs gained in the virtual trade fair could help in future transactions and sales.
“Maraming inquiries, maraming challenges (There are many inquiries, there are many challenges). But the mere fact that there are some of those who are inquiring, it means that there are future transactions and sales,” he said.
Serrano expressed confidence that virtual showcasing could help translate into actual sales, considering that the products of the region’s MSMEs are high in quality and world-class.
“Although the expectation is hindi ganun talaga (not much) in terms of sales. But some of the participating MSMEs have their products exported abroad. So (these are) really world-class products. What we are selling at the Likha ng Central Luzon are high-quality products,” he added.
Among the products put on sale during the virtual trade fair were bamboo, driftwood, and sabutan products from Aurora province, as well as housewares, marine products, and peanut delicacies from Bataan province.
Bulacan MSMEs showcased their world-class handmade jewelry, turmeric, bags, and sauces while entrepreneurs from Nueva Ecija promoted their barong, footwear, and mushroom products.
Pampanga participants, on the other hand, offered their famous lanterns, homemade nuts, and delicacies while those from Tarlac displayed their pottery, home décor, and potato wine.
The best of Zambales’ products – cashew, bignay wine, and chicharon, among others – were also put on sale.
The Likha ng Central Luzon Trade Fair is a major regional trade promotion activity jointly organized by the DTI-3 and Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) 3, with the support of the Regional Development Council 3 and the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc. (PNA)
