PARTICIPATING producers of the ongoing 33rd Negros Trade Fair at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City have initially generated about P1.1 million in sales during the opening day on Tuesday, September 25.
Ynez Reyes, event coordinator, said the figure accounts for the total sales generated by 70 producers, including local government units (LGUs), participating in the five-day trade fair running until September 30.
Reyes said this year’s event officially kicked off Wednesday, September 26, but some producers have already set up their booths and start selling products hours prior to the Arima, or opening night, on Tuesday.
“Though we have yet to gather the data on our sales during the official start of the trade fair, we have observed brisk sales especially on our furniture and food products,” she said, adding that “with the influx of visitors the figure will definitely surge towards the last day.”
In 2017, 118 participating micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have earned a total of P25.5 million.
The Association of Negros Producers (ANP) earlier expressed optimism that with new and better products this year, they can be able to surpass the sales last year.
Themed “Sweet Talk: Sugar and Spice, Awesome and Nice,” the Negros Trade Fair is organized by ANP in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental along with other partners like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
For her part, DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lea Gonzales said the agency has provided assistance to some of the participating MSMEs through product development under its Otop (one town, one product) Next Generation Program.
Gonzales said about 26 producers who were provided of the designs are showcasing their prototypes at the trade fair.
“We are looking forward not only for more cash sales but booked orders so there will be more production in the coming months,” she said, adding that the DTI continues to encourage local MSMEs to innovate and improve the quality of their products coupled with updated designs.
“That is the only way we can beat our competitors,” the official stressed.