THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7 is aiming to hit P25 million in sales in the upcoming three-day Sandugo Trade Expo this month in Bohol.
Dubbed as the “Best of the Islands,” the trade expo on July 25 to 29 in the Island City Mall in Tagbilaran City will showcase export-quality products such as souvenir items, apparel, accessories, processed food, gifts and decor, and heath and wellness items.
DTI 7 has tallied 150 exhibitors to join the expo from the original target of 140, the reason DTI 7 Director Asteria Caberte raised the sales target yesterday from P22 million to P25 million.
Last year, DTI 7 recovered P18 million in sales, lower than the P20 million generated in 2016, due to space constraints.
According to Caberte, buyers can expect a bigger trade expo with 10 other regions joining this year —Caraga, CAR, Regions 6, 8, 9, 4A and 4B, 10, 11 and National Capital Region.
The expo will also highlight the next generation products of One Town One Product (Otop), a program that supports micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME).
Caberte also expects an influx of buyers during the trade show, as Bohol celebrates the Tigom Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan or TBTK, the grand reunion of Boholanos from all over the globe.
Caberte said these balikabayans are expected to drive up sales during the expo alongside the local and corporate buyers such as Rustan’s, SM, Ayala, and Enchanted Kingdom, among others.
Another highlight of the expo is the Kapetirya, an area at the expo where local coffee and chocolate entrepreneurs can exhibit products like coffee and cacao.
Caberte said this is an emerging sector that the trade department would like to support and help gain market access.
Likewise, the annual trade expo is seen to spur employment opportunities and revenues of MSMEs. Caberte said any book order or under negotiation order would mean job creation.
Side activities of the trade event also include coffee cupping and graduation ceremony of the participants of the Rural Impact Sourcing program, an eCommerce program of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
DTI 7 will also hold the graduation 25 mentees under the agency’s Kapatid Mentor Me Program.
It will also recognize partners and award performing exhibitors and products.
They will give out six major awards for product design, innovative product, green product, and top selling food, furniture and gifts and houseware.
Now on its 13th year, the Sandugo Trade Expo is also positioned to attract the travel retail market, with Bohol’s flourishing tourism industry. Among the top selling items during the expo are furniture and processed food like chicharon, dried mangoes and banana chips. (KOC)