The Association of Negros Producers (ANP) is tapping more buyers from outside of Negros Occidental to help local producers, its chairperson Josephine Locsin said.
Locsin said that of the 115 ANP members, only 50 have the capacity to join the annual Negros Trade Fair in Metro Manila every September.
To help remaining local producers and for their products to be recognized, “we need to bring in institutional buyers in the country as well as partners in the industry.”
“We are even tapping the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to help us tie up with Asean buyers especially now with the integration under the Asean Free Trade Agreement (Afta),” Locsin added.
Moreover, the ANP is eyeing higher gross sales from the Negros Trade Fair this year from the P20 million posted in 2014 by introducing more and new products.
“Through various innovations and help of different organizations, we believe that local producers and their products can now attract larger markets including the younger generation during the annual trade fair which is now in its 30th year,” Locsin said.
Bulawan Awards
Meanwhile, the ANP through its 25th Bulawan Awards recognized on Tuesday producer-members working hard in terms of maintaining “truly Negros” products with ingenuity, creativity, and innovation to make these highly competitive in the domestic and international markets.
Tumandok Crafts and Industries’ Tapaz Tabletops Collection won in the Table Tops Category and Best in Luminary for its Tapaz Table Lamp.
The award went to 3 Sisters (seek, hear & speak) of Martinez Art Haus Design in Home Furnishing Category; Golden Arts and Furnishing’s Laminated Nesting Table, Furniture Category; Hand-woven Shawl Collection of Negros Silk, Garments Category; Kiculo Crafts’ Isabel Bags Collection, Bags And Footwear Category; Crisvil Creations’ Banig ni Ingrid Collection, Fashion and Accessories Category; and Vivo Handicrafts’ Nativity Scene, Best in Novelty Category.
The Food Category was dominated by Pueblo Bakeshop for its Carabana (pastry category), ECJ Farms’ Mangosteen Jam (confectionery category), and Whole Wheat Bar of Virgie’s Homemade Products (health and wellness category).