Region 12 entrepreneurs display merchandise at GenSan fair

GENERAL SANTOS CITY --- Indigenous products from across central Mindanao are on display in a trade fair here meant to connect producers to potential buyers in Metro Manila and abroad.The week-long 4thTreasures of Region 12, launched on Monday, is an annual activity of the Department of Trade and Industry.It is intended to enhance the global competitiveness of sectors engaged in micro-small-medium enterprises, or MSME-clients.The trade fair at the SM City Mall here is part of an effort of DTI’s office in Region 12 to ensure the connectivity of local entrepreneurs to traders in domestic and foreign trading hubs.Ibrahim Guiamadel, regional director of DTI-12, said 89 MSMEs participated in their on-going trade fair, the fourth since 2014.He said the participating MSME stakeholders have good products on display, all of export quality.Guiamadel said the annual fair will show their feats on interventions being initiated to boost the productivity of MSMEs in central Mindanao.Among the products now displayed at the fair are food items, home decors and fixtures made of indigenous materials, brassware, preserved fruits and organic juices, fashion accessories, processed Tuna, coffee and chocolate concentrates.The November 13 to 19 trade show also has the Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan jobs fair being assisted by the Department of Labor and Employment, the OFWpreneurship, an entrepreneurial workshop for overseas Filipino workers by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.Also among the highlights of the DTI-12 trade show are the promotion of the One town One Product and Branding Equity Development showcasing different brands of local MSME merchandise, the Craft Emporium, which is focused on crafts that were improved through DTI initiatives, such as bamboo products, and the Tsokokapehan that advertises coffee and chocolate products.Other activities during the trade fair are the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Phil ippines East ASEAN Growth Area Pavilion and the Super Consumer Booth, which disseminates information on consumer rights.Guiamadel said they also have theAgribusiness Support for Promotion and Investment in Regional Expositionsby the Department of Agriculture, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Pavilion and the Treasures of SOX of the Department of Tourism in Region 12.The conduct of DTI’s yearly Treasures of Region 12 activity is being supported by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the natural resources and agrarian reform departments, the Technical and Skills Development Authority, the National Economic Development Authority.Guiamadel said the General Santos City government and the Regional Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council are also helping them in their week-long trade activity at the SM City Mall here.