Trade expo organizers eye to generate P20M in sales

ORGANIZERS of this year's 17th Mindanao Trade Expo (MTE) are expecting to generate around P20 million in sales for the four day exposition of locally-produced world-class products.

Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation Inc. (MTEFI) president Ann T. Pamintuan said the 17th MTE attracted 68 small and medium enterprises (SME) from all over Mindanao. This year's exposition opened on Monday at the Abreeza Ayala Mall and will run until August 16.

The exhibitors will feature products ranging some of hardware furniture, home textile, fashion accessories, fine jewellery pieces, handicraft and processed food products to pave the way for SMEs to reach out to the local market.

"The goal is to sell what's on stock," Pamintuan said in a press conference at Apo View Hotel on Monday.

Pamintuan, however, revealed that the target revenue this year decreased compared the previous years because the holding of the trade expo is more of retail. Before, local exporters and producers develop new products to be sold to institutional buyers or firms.

She said they are optimistic to hit the target sales this year as the previous expositions showed good numbers in terms of revenue generation.

Pamintuan said MTFEI posted P35 million in sales last year and in Metro Manila netted some P60 million.

"Once you say that export products will be sold in retail, it means that these will become more affordable to a wider range of buyers and consumers," she said.

Products that are displayed now in the trade expo are only half of the actual products that have been produced and the other half is already sold, according to Pamintuan.

In a press statement, Pamintuan said exporters can make a domestic demand by being able to produce quality and good craftsmanship to those products.

MTEFI chairman Benjamin Kalalo said exhibitors of the 17th MTE are selling products that are exported to the global market. This activity will intensify the local market of the producers’ locally-produced products.

Kalalo said the holding of the trade expo will boost the handicraft industry of Mindanao which supports the livelihood of many indigenous people.

"The characteristics are and export-oriented and regionally dispersed employment providing opportunities to indigenous people,' he said.

The executive also reported that 98 percent of the handicraft products in Mindanao are exported while only two percent is imported.

Department of Trade and Industry-Davao City field officer director Teololu Pasawa said while the staging of 17th MTE provides SMEs opportunities to promote products, it also gives visitors what on possible business venture they can pursue.