THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Western Visayas gathered the best products from various municipalities and cities in the region for its Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Week Trade Fair from Oct. 13 to 17 at the Outdoor Atrium of Festive Mall in Mandurriao district in Iloilo City.
DTI Western Visayas Regional Director Rebecca Rascon said the assistance to MSMEs continues amid the threat of the pandemic.
“DTI continues to hurdle the challenges of assisting micro, small and medium entrepreneurs come up with new and better off erings with signifi cant improvement and innovation in the areas of quality, product development, design, packaging, standards
compliance, marketability, production capability, brand development, among others,” she said in an interview.
Fifty-eight (One Town, One Product Entrepreneurs OTOPreneurs) will showcase their merchandise from processed foods, handicrafts, and other non-food products during the week-long trade fair.
They are composed of 13 exhibitors from Aklan; 11, Antique; four, Capiz; nine each from Guimaras and Iloilo and 12 from Negros Occidental.
Among their display are hablon weaving, piña and other fi bers, yummy food and delicacies, artisanal homegrown crafts of fi bers, bamboo, vines, abaca, and various local raw materials.
“We cannot let this pandemic consume us. Instead, let us explore more ideas to confront these trials and come up with better solutions in extending assistance to our MSMEs, likewise, discover other opportunities brought by this pandemic,” she added.
This year’s exhibit anchors on the theme “Makabagong MSMEs, Bagong Pag-asa Laban sa Pandemya.”
The trade fair is also in line with the observance of Consumer Welfare Month in coordination with Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Weekly Community Fair, a project that supports MSMEs across the country. (PNA)
