THE Department of Trade and Industry, through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem), has given Muy Bien Ventures Co. Inc. the 2017 Katha Award during the 2017 International Food Exposition (Ifex) Philippines Networking Night at the World Trade Center in Pasay City last Friday, May 19.
The Negros Occidental-based food processing enterprise received this year's best new product award under beverage category.
Muy Bien’s turmeric tea with calamansi bested other products from thousands of participating enterprises in the three-day trade event which ended Sunday.
It received a trophy, free one page advertisement in Ifex Philippines directory, publicity and promotion through Citem’s media network, and free nine-square meter booth for the same event next year.
Muy Bien is one the 19 small and medium enterprises from Negros, joining more than 1,000 food companies and brands in the Philippines and other selected countries.
Of which, 17 enterprises were assisted by the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental.
Muy Bien and The Organic Lola’s Finest Ventures Inc. from Negros Oriental were assisted by the Department of Agriculture-Negros Island Region (DA-NIR).
The agency provided for their expenses including transportation, participation and other fees, Joyce Wendam, regional director of DA-NIR, said on Sunday.
Wendam said the recognition is a product of strong collaboration of government agencies, local government units, and private sector like that of the country’s Outstanding Rice Municipality to be awarded by the DA to Valldolid on May 23.
“This award is another milestone for NIR especially for Negros Occidental which really has huge potential in terms of agri-business,” Wendam said, as she urged local enterprises and agripreneurs to sustain innovation in their respective operations.
Ifex is the country’s biggest international trade exhibition of the Philippines and Asia’s ethnic and specialty food, tropical fruits, vegetables, seafood, beverages, bakery and confectionery products, meat and poultry, Halal-certified products, as well as natural, organic, and healthy food products.
Since its inception as the Asian Ethnic Food Festival from 1999, the activity has provided a business-to-business platform for local and international food companies to discover new markets, launch new products, and transact with the world’s biggest buyers.