DAVAO CITY – While the pandemic may have halted several activities and events, the Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation, Inc. (MTEFI) is still pursuing its annual initiative this Christmas season.
With the goal to continuously help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the MTEFI will hold its first-ever virtual trade fair since its inception in 1996. As such, it will serve as a digital marketing platform for the 80 entrepreneurs all over the Davao Region.
The expo, which will run from 26 November until 02 December, carries the theme “Staying connected in the new normal” to emphasize the importance of sustaining operation despite the unending challenges.
MTEFI president Rosevic Cembrano-Del Rosario said their organization is committed in assisting MSMEs, especially these trying times.
“This edition of MTE is the first initiative towards moving forward and unceasingly provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs to increase their online presence, and network with potential institutional buyers. These would help them in sustaining their business operations, especially at this time of high inventory records,” Cembrano said.
In the meantime, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11 Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi expressed her support towards MTEFI’s endeavor.
“Since the very first MTE more than 2 two decades ago, DTI has always been one of its major partners. We want our MSMEs to know that amid our current situation, the government as well as some private organizations, are here for them. DTI, for instance, has never stopped giving them our all-out support – from improving their products to finding a market for them,” Ambi said.
Buyers have a wide selection of products, which they can have for themselves or their loved ones. The MTE Davao Christmas Event will promote and market local products, ranging from arts and crafts, home décor and houseware, furniture, gift and premium items to fashion, health and wellness, and fresh and processed food products.
“This holiday season, we encourage everyone to patronize local products. Let us help our entrepreneurs by supporting and buying local brands. As what we say in DTI, let us show to the world the spirit of bayanihan by becoming a BUYani ourselves,” Ambi shared.
The seven-day virtual trade expo is a collaborative effort among the One Town, One Product (OTOP Philippines), DTI 11, PLDT Ka-Asenso, Philippine Exporters Confederation (PhilExport), and the DTI Rural Agro-Enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project.
The virtual expo can be accessed through the following link:
https://www.virtualtradeexpoph.com/expo/mte-davao-christmas-event/show
A Facebook Live event will also be hosted through the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/mindanao.expo/
The same event can be seen through DTI 11’s official Facebook page DTI Region 11. ♦
Date of Release: 26 November 2020