Monday, June 18, 2007 Otop takes center-stage in Yaman Mindanao fair By Joy Romares-Sevilla
THE Department of Trade and Industry in Northern Mindanao, which will host anew the Yaman Mindanao Otop Island Fair, revealed six highlights of the event slated on June 29-July 2 at the KCC Mall in General Santos City.
DTI assistant regional Director Doris Delima said last week that among the components of the event are Otop exhibit, Buyers' and Sellers' Night, Business Matching, Success Talks, Training Series, and the Tour of region’s activity.
The Otop exhibit will be a gathering of over 100 best crafts and food products registered under the One Town One Product (Otop) program of the DTI from all over Mindanao.
The products are those ready for domestic and international market, after undergoing necessary product development to become competitive.
The exhibit, Delima said, is the main event of the island fair.
On June 29, organizers will stage the Buyers' and Sellers' Night where buyers and sellers can informally discuss their respective interests over dinner.
The event will also recognize the contribution of the producers and the institutional buyers in the success of the island fair.
The business matching activity, on the other hand, is also one of the most important activities of the event where a one-on-one negotiation between Otop producers and institutional buyers will take place on June 30.
Mindanao entrepreneurs will get the chance to offer their products and negotiate for possible long-term sales arrangement.
Meanwhile, the organizers of the event also initiate the Success Talks on the same day.
It is a live talk show that will be staged at the premises of the exhibit.
Delima said they have already identified six successful Otop entrepreneurs who will share their best experiences to the new Otop players.
The Training Series, on the other hand, is set from June 30 to July 1.
The Departmet of Science and Technology will give training on cleaner production technology, while a seminar on consumer behavior will be given by the Advocates for Philippine Trade Fair Inc. (APTFI).
Adventure also awaits the fair's participants as the organizers initiated the Tour of Southwestern Mindanao. Local and foreign tourists will have a chance to visit some destinations in Southwestern Mindanao like white sand beaches and other tourists attractions.
