Mindanao trade expo to focus on local products, environment

IN A bid to promote locally produced products and environmental protection, this year's Mindanao Trade Expo (MTE) will highlight eco-friendly products, tourism destinations and investment opportunities.

World-renown designer and a true Dabawenya, Ann Pamintuan chairs the 14th MTE.

Updates on President Benigno Aquino III's presidency

Dubbed as "Mindanao Trade Expo...Eco-ing Traditions," the event will showcase a wide array of Mindanao products at Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Convention Hall in Davao City on August 19 to 22.

At least 100 exhibitors, producers of gifts, toys, and housewares (GTH), furniture and furnishings, fashion accessories, and processed food, tourism destinations and investment opportunities will likewise be highlighted during the four-day exhibit.

The MTE recorded an aggregate cash sales of P58.5 million and booked sales of P163 million in its staging last year.

Since its inception 13 years ago, MTE has promoted and extended marketing assistance to a total of 1,705 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and gathered 607 local and international buyers.

"In MTE's history, we've had 1,705 exhibitors, 577 buyers, P703 million sales generated. With this laudable performance, the MTE and its partners are really bent on continuously reaping good harvest especially for the MSMEs. The trend for sustainable green products is the present requirement of the global market. If we are to widen our market reach, we have to make products that will meet the demand. Through it, we can sustain our economic gains," Pamintuan said during the MTE 2010 press launch at Apo View Hotel Garden Pavillion.

Recycled materials turned to fashion items and perishable goods were featured Wednesday as a sneak peak at what will be presented during the exhibit. There were necklaces, bags of different sizes such as totes and pouches, slippers, and slum books, lamps and drapes made of abaca. Food produces of coco sugar, durian candies, and others were also showcased.

Pamintuan said Mindanao's environment-friendly products, also called green products, after promotion in fashion capitals such as Tokyo, Japan and Paris, France have garnered appreciation of buyers.

"Ang Pinoy mahihilig sa mga designer bags, so bumibili tayo pero fake naman. Our bags naman are appreciated abroad so we should instead buy our own. The global call now is to use environmental friendly products and appreciation of green goods. This is true internationally as mega cities are becoming more aware that the globe has to take a shift towards environmental protection," said Mae Alcantara of MTE's Production Development unit.

"Supporting our own micro, small, and medium enterprises, with the help of the government like the Department of Trade and Industry here, we can solve the lack of jobs locally, we can develop out own markets, and we would solve migration. You know, we have encountered overseas Filipino workers abroad who said they appreciated how we are presenting Mindanao products to other countries because if we could only strengthen and expand MSME then these OFWs need not have gone out of the country," said Betty More of MTE's Participation unit.

Other than showcasing environment-friendly products, featured also in the exhibit is education to the consumers on how the indigenous sustainable raw materials of Mindanao can be turned into world-class creations.

"This year's theme is just to show that we should continue our advocacy for the promotion of eco-friendly products of Mindanao. These so-called green products are actually in demand both in the local and international markets maybe because of the increasing call for environmental preservation.

"Toward a greener Earth, we really have to produce products that are sustainable and environment-friendly. And consumers must also learn to only patronize green products. Through this way, all of us will have our own share of preserving the environment," Pamintuan said.

MTE 2010 is a Kadayawan accredited event. It is presented by the Export Development Council through Export Support Fund in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), USAIS' GEM Project and Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc.

For more information, you may contact the Secretariat at telephone numbers (082) 282-3053, 221-8779 or email MTE 2010 at mtefoundation@gmail.com.