PARTICIPATING exhibitors at the ongoing 12th Negros Business Expo at the Robinsons Place Bacolod have generated an initial sales of almost half a million pesos as of Sunday, April 25.
Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), said there are 19 micro enterprises joining the 17-day expo.
Carbon said these micro-enterprises selling locally made food and other goods are from different towns and cities in Negros Occidental.
Themed "Finding Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow," the product showcase and trade event is being held from April 16 to May 2.
"The expo has served as venue for local producers especially micro enterprises and entrepreneurs to promote their products and brands as well as provide them the opportunity to generate additional income which they needed amid the ongoing pandemic affecting the economy," he added.
The expo is a joint project of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental and the business chamber.
Carbon, also the vice president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) for the Visayas, earlier said supporting local entrepreneurs by buying their products will contribute to hastening the economic recovery of the province.
Micro enterprises being the most vulnerable are actually the ones giving employment to their neighbors, he said.
In July this year, the activity will be brought to Ayala Malls Capitol Central.
Another round of trade event aimed at helping small producers in the province will be held again at Robinsons Place Bacolod in October.
Aside from selling, there will be food processing demo as well as lecture on how to be profitable amid these trying times.
Carbon reiterated that this economic activity and other events that will be held in the coming months will spur economic activities in the province.
It will also help generate the needed jobs, he added.
In the previous years, the MBCCI and Provincial Government have also been hosting the annual Negros Business Week.
In 2019, on its 11th year, the event was positioned to trigger growth and development toward the rural areas especially agriculture and fishery communities in Negros Occidental.