NEGRENSE producers, especially exporters, need to further improve their products to be able to compete in the global market, an official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the province said.
DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lea Gonzales, who attended the just-concluded International Food Exposition (Ifex) Philippines 2018 in Metro Manila, said continuously improving the product quality and packaging remains a challenge for entrepreneurs in the province.
Gonzales said although local producers who participated in the three-day Ifex Philippines already have good products, they still need to improve if compared to other enterprises in other countries.
"We still need to improve our packaging particularly the design, and type of packaging materials used to be more attractive to the buyers," Gonzales said.
The agency assures to continue providing assistance to local producers to improve the quality of their products and meet the standards set, she added.
Featuring "The Best of the Seas," the three-day event was held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City until Sunday, May 27.
The event was organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions of DTI in collaboration with other agencies, including the Department of Agriculture (DA).
It is reputed as the premier business-to-business platform for local and international food companies to discover new markets, launch new products, and transact with the world’s biggest buyers.
For Negros Occidental, which has been participating for four years now since 2013, its booth at the international pavilion featured four local exporters.
The retail section, meanwhile, showcased premium seafood and non-seafood commodities including muscovado and organic brown sugars, condiments, chips, and pastries.
For this year, 26 enterprises assisted by the provincial government, including three local government units (LGUs), joined the international exposition.
These are the New Wave Exporters Inc., HLS Aqua Products, Fishta Seafoods, Gem Foods International Inc., Satoca, Kusina Jamora, Ereñeta-Manaloto, Ading’s Gourmet Tuyo, Fresh Start Organics, MFK, Alter Trade Corporation, Organic Producers in the Island of Negros Multipurpose, Jarvis Gourmet Foods, Virgie’s Homemade Products, Norgi’s, Elizabeth, Anyols, Ophelia’s Food Products, Melva’s Foods, Anna Prado, Oyen’s Food Products, Bobette’s Delicacies, and Sir Jess Enterprise.
The three LGUs are Cadiz City, Mapapla, and Himamaylan City.
The DTI, moreover, lauded the effort of the provincial government in allocating about P800,000 to fund the exhibitors' expenses on freight and space rentals.
Gonzales said the subsidy is really a big help as it would be expensive for the local producers to join the Ifex thus, government support plays a vital role.
"Participation at the Ifex is really a big boost to Negrense producers. We hope they were able to get more orders and tapped more potential clients," Gonzales said.
Also, the DTI continues to urge producers to get the required licenses from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).
"For us, we can come up with seminars to inform our enterprises on the requirements as well as the importance of complying with the standards set by the government," she added. (EPN)