DTI to showcase ‘Saod’ Albay Trade, Travel Fair

By Cyryl L. Montales

LEGAZPI City --- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Albay is set to showcase the first ever ‘Saod’ Albay Trade and Travel fair of Albay local Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME’s) in Metro Manila from November 25 to 30, at Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, through the support of the Provincial Government of Albay (PGA).

The fair aims to target a bigger market for their products and services.

“We will be showcasing MSMEs or manufacturers of wearables and home-style also known as handicraft products, fashion bags, house wares, gift items, and home decors. We also have from processed food sector, pili nut in different varieties, Guinobatan longanisa and pinangat, and some famous sili ice cream of Bicol region.’’ DTI Albay Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist/Trade Promotion Officer Jose Luis Bobadilla said.

According to DTI Albay, the tourism sector from selected Local Government Units (LGUs) in the province will join the six-day event and will present their respective tourism sites and services.

Albay will feature its culture and skills through the daily demo of basket weaving, pottery making (throwing), coconut products and pilinut cracking on the Albay Artisan Village at the Ground floor of Shangri-La Plaza.

Bobadilla noted that there are 40 MSME’s from Albay which will participate in the event; 18 from processed food industries, 2 from ceramics, 1 from bamboo, health and wellness, wearables and home-style.

He emphasized that it is very significant for the MSME’s to showcase their products and services face-to-face to, “feel or taste its quality,’’ by the buyers.

“As of now there are invited 15 buyers based on the data base. We also invited DTI representatives and DTI personnel from the national office with DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual,” he added.

“By going local we promote our own products and also generate employment. The more orders that we get from local products, the more jobs that we can create,” Bobadilla added.

DTI Albay also encourages local MSME’s to actively participate in DTI programs and activities such as in product developments, and capacity building trainings to help them widen their market and also prepare them to such big event.