SOME 165 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Central Luzon showcased their quality products at the 20th Likhang Central Luzon Trade Fair which ran from October 10 to 14 at the SM Megamall Trade Hall 2 in Mandaluyong City.
In a statement to SunStar Pampanga, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Central Luzon said that the Likhang Central Luzon Trade Fair is one of the most awaited trade events in the Metro Manila area as it features the best products from the seven provinces of Central Luzon.
The fair features, among others, the famous sabutan and drift wood products from Aurora, fish and other marine products from Bataan, jewelries and bags from Bulacan, dairy products and metal works from Nueva Ecija, delicacies and Christmas Decors from Pampanga, pottery and wine from Tarlac, and mango products and delicacies from Zambales.
The Likha Trade Fair also serves as the culminating event for the different assistance of DTI to the MSMEs of the region. The event also showcased a special setting of products developed through the One Town One Product Next Generation Project (OTOP Next Gen) of DTI.
The trade fair was graced by DTI assistant secretary Demphna Du-Naga, Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc. (CLGCFI) president and Tarlac Governor Susan Yap, Regional Development Council III chairperson and Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, and Philippine Export Federation Central Luzon president Anthony Torres.
In her message during the opening program, Naga emphasized the objectives of the event, which are to widen the market of the small businesses by getting institutional buyers and to showcase the quality products of the MSMEs of the region. She cited that a few of the past Likha participants have leveled up, not only in terms of earnings, but also in improving their products and their brands being known to local and even foreign buyers.
She also cited the establishment of OTOP Philippines Hub to continuously display quality, locally made products around the country. Central Luzon’s OTOP Hub is located at the Bulacan Provincial Capitol Compound in Malolos City.
Yap expressed her gratitude to DTI for organizing the trade fair in order to support the small businesses of Central Luzon. She noted that the participant exhibitors of Likhang Central Luzon carry the best products of the region. She also cited that some of these products are already being brought and sold even in international trade fairs. She said that CLGCFI will continue to support the efforts of government to level up and improve the products of MSMEs.
In 2017, about 150 MSMEs participated in the Likhang Central Luzon Trade Fair and earned more than P40-million for the five-day event.