VIRTUAL TRADE SHOW. Seven micro, small and medium enterprises in Negros Occidental are featured in the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) International Furniture and Furnishings Show 2021. Hosted by the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines, the 10-day virtual trade event, which runs until March 18, 2021, is organized by the ASEAN Furniture Council. (Photo courtesy of ASEAN International Furniture & Furnishings Show Facebook page)
BACOLOD CITY – Products of seven micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Negros Occidental are being showcased in the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) International Furniture and Furnishings Show 2021.
The first unified virtual exposition for the Southeast Asian furniture circuit show can be visited until March 18 by signing up on https://aiffs.vx-events.com for a free visitor pass.
Featured Negrense products are those of Artisana Island Crafts, Bevz Handicraft, Creative Definitions, Golden Arts and Furnishings, Tumandok Craft Industries, Yssa’s Handicraft Manufacturing, and Hacienda Crafts Company.
Hacienda Crafts owner Christina Gaston, in a statement on Thursday, said the Philippines is one of the eight countries featured to bring local products to the global market through a digital platform.
Gaston, who chairs the Association of Negros Producers (ANP), said they were invited to participate through a business support organization (BSO) network, particularly the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines (CFIP) and Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation (CFIF).
“As entrepreneurs, we must learn to navigate and take advantage of new digital tools and platforms available to us,” she added.
Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Gaston said they have to know how to do business in the “new normal” and considering the fierce competition, they must capacitate themselves by learning how to be part of virtual events and promote their products to the global market.
The participation of the Negrense producers in the virtual show is supported by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Tourism Promotions Board, she said.
Hosted by the CFIP, the 10-day trade event is organized by the ASEAN Furniture Council.
In the event’s official Facebook page, the organizer described Hacienda Crafts as an enviro-social design company that sustainably creates lamps and lighting, tabletop, accent furniture, and home decoration, and elevates indigenous natural materials, traditional skills, and communities.
Hacienda Crafts’ mission is to transform lives by transcending boundaries at its core, it added.
During the event, participants are allowed to see great designs, interact with top designers and manufacturers via chat, video call, schedule a meeting, exchange photos, and brochures, as well attend virtual conferences in the comfort of their home or office.
Gaston said that being part of a virtual show provides Negrense producers with greater opportunities to sell to other markets and learn from others through the conferences.
“It is important for us to tell our brand story so that potential buyers can interact with us directly. We also have to participate so that we become part of the database for buyers to find our products and companies online,” she added. (PNA)
