THE Province of Pampanga is set to host the third Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp) Likha ng Central Luzon Trade Fair.
The event, which will take place at the Marquee Mall in Angeles City on November 21 to 24, is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its CARP Program Management Office, in coordination with Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Science and Technology, local government units and the MSME development councils.
About 81 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the region are expected to participate and showcase their products in the trade fair, said DTI Regional Director Judith Angeles.
Of the 81 MSMEs, Pampanga has the most number of participants in the trade fair with 20, followed by Bataan with 14, Tarlac with 13, Bulacan with 11, Nueva Ecija with 10, Zambales with seven, and Aurora with six.
Among the products to be offered in the trade fair are processed foods, gifts, decors and houseware, organic and natural products, home furnishing and wearable and homestyles.
“With the number of participating MSMEs this year, we are really expecting more sales. Our target sales is P1.8 million or about P20,000 per agrarian reform beneficiary for the entire duration of the trade fair,” said DTI Regional CARP Manager Brigida Pili.
Angeles, meanwhile, invited the public to buy and support local products since the primary aim of the trade fair is to link the exhibitors to the market to gain more profits while at the same time promoting the region’s finest products.
“Participating exhibitors of the trade fair are recipients of DTI services such as SME Roving Academy, Shared Service Facilities, Kapatid Mentor Micro Enterprises and other business advisory and product development services to ensure that the products sold in the fair are market ready,” Angeles said.