Armm SMEs shine in int'l food expo

PASAY CITY - The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (Armm) showcased their locally-produced chips or tipas of Maguindanao and coco sugar of Sulu to the international market as they participated in this year’s International Food Exhibit (Ifex) at the World Trade Center, Pasay.

The Mindanao Pavilion showcased all six regions' specialty products and commodities, proving the island-region's position as the “food basket of the Philippines.”

The Armm, represented by The Moropreneur Incorporated (TMI) and Tubig Samin Agricultural Producer Cooperative, two of the local consolidators of agricultural products in the region, sees IFEX as an avenue to expand their prospective markets and to explore ideas for product development.

“During the first day, we already sold more than 1,000 and 500 packs of sweet and spicy tipas and coco sugar respectively. Aside from its allnatural ingredients, both are Halal-certified products, too," said Prince Shoudery Galo, Trade and Industry Development Specialist of DTI-Armm.

Currently, DTIArmm is exploring ways to acquire barcodes and comply with the international standards in order to join the export market.

“Ifex has always been helpful in harnessing the professional growth of the entrepreneurs and the market position of their products,” Galo said.

He also added that there is vast potential for agri-based food products that ARMM possesses given its highly fertile agricultural land producing major products such as cassava, palay, coconut, corn, seaweed, rubber, among others.