A TOTAL of 2,190 micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) assisted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Central Luzon have earned around P150 million in sales from 183 trade fairs organized and participated in by DTI in 2018.

These trade fairs include 11 international events participated in by 41 entrepreneurs from Central Luzon. Notable among the international fairs joined by the region’s MSMEs in 2018 are the China Asean Expo in Nanning, China and the Hong Kong International Toy Fair.

A bulk of the sales of the Central Luzon MSMEs was earned from the Likha ng Central Luzon Regional Trade Fair held on October 10 to 14, 2018 at the SM Mega Trade Hall. The 167 participants of the Likha Fair earned more than P63.5 million in sales during the five-day trade fair.

Another big ticket event which gave local entrepreneurs significant sales was the Philippine International Furniture Show, a locally held international trade fair conducted last March 10 to 12, 2018 at the SMX Convention Center. During the fair, 12 participating MSMEs from Central Luzon earned a total of P28.7 million in the three-day fair.

During the National Food Fair from March 14 to 18, 2018, 32 Central Luzon MSMEs earned a total of P7.4 million while 33 participant entrepreneurs from the region earned P3.55 million during the National Trade Fair held on August 22-26, 2018 at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

Aside from assisting local entrepreneurs in participating in 11 international fairs in 2018, DTI Central Luzon was also able to assist local entrepreneurs in participating in 33 national trade fairs, 12 regional trade fairs, 34 provincial trade fairs and in 93 trade fairs. (PR)