Tuesday, July 31, 2007 Trade execs urge SMEs to aim for foreign market
DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry officials have challenged small and medium enterprises in Mindanao to target the foreign market following the recent trade fair in General Santos City that generated at least P28 million in sales.
Ibrahim Guiamadel, director of the DTI-Central Mindanao, said Mindanao's "abundant resources can be harnessed to meet the demands of the foreign market." DTI-Central Mindanao spearheaded the "Yamang Mindanao Otop (One Town, One Product) Island Fair.
He said the island "hosts local skills needed to ensure the products would meet international standards."
At least 180 producers across Mindanao took part in the trade fair attended by national and international buyers.
Of the figure, 148 products were identified by their respective local government units under the "One Town, One Product" program.
"The well-attended fair indicates a growing potential of Mindanao's small and medium entrepreneurs in expanding to the global market," Guiamadel said.
The fair featured an array of products that include processed foods, jewelry, fashion accessories, furniture, garments, handicraft and many other items.
Dorecita Delima, assistant regional yrade director, called on local government units and other agencies of government to continuously support efforts to produce more entrepreneurs, open investment areas, and generate more jobs and revenues.
The top sellers in the four-day trade exhibit that ended early this month under food category include the YY Sea International Corp. of Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), which took bulk of orders from a company in China for its bottled Spanish sardines, the regional Trade office reported.
The two others were Sunrise Coffee of Region XIII (Caraga) for its innovative rice and corn beverage and KM Foods of Region XII (Central Midnanao) for its value-added tuna products.
On the non-food category, South Sea pearl crafter Tezoro del Mar of Region IX posted the highest sales, followed by another Region IX exhibitor, KGD Infinite Fashion, and furniture maker Wild Trend Woodcraft of Caraga region.
Organizers also cited exhibitors De Lara Agsam Novelties of Caraga for having the best product (non-food) in the fair - a necklace weave with pearl. The weave is made from agsam vine and rattan strips laid with pearl.
Also cited for having the second best (non-food) product is a rug made from abaca bark and fiber by Top Zion Handicrafts, also of Caraga region.
For food category, the best product went to Region XI's Lucille's Food Products for its Calamansi Carrot Concentrate. BSS
