At the recently-held opening ceremony of the 2022 Hybrid National Food Fair, Secretary Ramon M. Lopez recounted the programs and initiatives undertaken by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to sustain the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that comprise 99.5% of all businesses.
He lauded the efforts, including the introduction of innovative solutions to keep the market open for MSMEs while providing essential products to consumers. He noted, “The effort to give our MSMEs fresh knowledge and skills about how to navigate the new realities of a hybrid marketplace was very intensive, as various agencies within the department partnered to present webinars and other online learning activities. Many of our MSMEs were onboarded and established their online stores.”
He added, “I am very excited about the fact that we are now not bound by geographical location because, with the online component, everyone can now enjoy the regional delicacies and Filipino cuisine wherever they are in the country and even the world.”
The 2022 Hybrid National Food Fair, held from June 1-5 at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP) in cooperation with the DTI Regional Operations Group (ROG).
All of the country’s 16 regions were represented, with 250 exhibitors showcasing their wares in the physical venue. Complementing this was the simultaneous virtual event on the Lazada e-commerce platform, which can be accessed at http://tinyurl.com/nationalfoodfaironlazada. At least 70 MSMEs were onboarded in the Hybrid National Food Fair on Lazada as they sell products through their permanent online stores.
Meanwhile, the Hybrid National Food Fair SISIDLAN digital catalog showcased more than 270 food entrepreneurs and their products in full color with direct access to their digital stores, social media links, and contact information. With the SISIDLAN as a business matching tool, buyers and consumers can directly contact all MSME exhibitors of the HNFF for negotiations and order bookings. It is available for download on this link: https://bit.ly/SISIDLAN.
In her inspirational message, DTI-Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona said, “Our MSMEs from the regions are eagerly watching this latest innovation in our domestic trade fairs because they see the huge potential for a borderless marketplace.”
Meanwhile, Undersecretary Ireneo Vizmonte of the DTI-Management Services Group, remarked in his closing message, “The MSME sector is acknowledged as the backbone of our national economy and a key driver of economic growth. Without you, our economic recovery programs will be very difficult to achieve.”
For more information about the 2022 Hybrid National Food Fair and other programs of the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion, please follow their social media accounts on Facebook (DTI.BDTP), Instagram (dti.bdtp), and Twitter (@DTI_BDTP). You may also email BDTP Director Marievic M. Bononan at bdtp@dti.gov.ph. ♦
Date of Release: 09 June 2022