Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the provinces of Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan raked P70 million in sales from the five-day 2018 MIMAROPA Naturally Agri-trade and Tourism Fair last 17-21 October, 2018 at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, surpassing its P50 million sale target for the fair.

 

The P70 million sales are comprised of booked and cash sales from the traders apart from under negotiation sales, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) MIMAROPA Regional Director Joel Valera said.

 

In its 2017 edition of MIMAROPA Naturally, the fair bagged P47.9 million in sales which was participated by 131 MSMEs.

 

Valera explained that buyers are starting to recognize local products made by MSMEs, adding that the Department has intensified its efforts in helping enterprises in terms of packaging their products, addressing supply issues, among others as a result of MSMEs exceeding the sales target.

 

“The intensified efforts of the Department through One Town, One Product (OTOP) Next Gen, Kapatid Mentor Me Program, Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Program, and other programs have helped MSMEs in the aspects of marketing, packaging and labelling, supply, and other bottlenecks that are perennial problems of an enterprise,” he said.

 

The 2018 MIMAROPA Naturally was participated by over 130 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and featured products such as processed food, furniture and home furnishings, wearables, such as fashion accessories, bags and footwear, and gifts and holiday decors.

 

Conducting trade fairs aims to help MSMEs expand and reach the mainstream and export markets, and at the same time help in job generation in the countryside, Valera said.

 

“By conducting trade fairs, MSME products would be able to reach buyers and clients from Metro Manila. This will really test the potential of the products of our MSMEs,” he added.

 

The 2018 MIMAROPA Naturally Agri-Trade and Tourism fair was in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Tourism (DOT), and in coordination with the provincial and city governments of Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.♦