OVER 100 trade exhibitors from different regions in Mindanao are showcasing their products in this year's edition of Mindanao Trade Expo (MTE), which opened Thursday at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
With the theme: "Mindanao Trade Expo: Eco-ing Tradition," the 14the MTE highlights the sector's continuing advocacy in supporting the promotions of eco-friendly products in Mindanao.
The expo promotes various local and international businessmen, key stakeholders and exporters with its showcase of products like gifts, toys and houseware, furniture and furnishings, fashion accessories and processed food.
The expo also provides a venue for the promotion of tourism destinations and investment opportunities from the various areas of Mindanao such as Zamboanga, Cagayan, Davao, Cotabato, Caraga, Armm and other regions such as Iloilo, Aklan, Cebu and Manila.
Since its foundation in 1996, the Mindanao Trade Expo, along with its participants and partners, has gathered and promoted 1,705 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and generated more than P700-M in sales on products and services from almost 600 visiting local and international buyers.
Secretary Jesus Dureza, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), said that the goal of expanding the service sector such as trade is at the core of the Authority's medium-term goals of achieving dynamic and sustainable development, with Mindanao playing a key role both in the regional and international arena.
In line with these goals, MinDA continues its efforts to complete the crafting of a blueprint to provide strategic direction for development projects in the Island called the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan.
"Once the Framework Plan is completed, it will serve as an effective vehicle to aid the MTE in investment promotions and the establishment of more public and private business ventures in Mindanao," he said.