Central Luzon entrepreneurs earn P94-M in trade fairs for 2016

CITY

OF SAN FERNANDO---Micro small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) from Central Luzon earned a total of P94.4-million in sales in 2016 from their participation in local and international trade fairs organized by the Department of Trade and Industry Regional Office III (DTI-3) and its provincial offices.

A total of 1,587 entrepreneurs from the region participated in 120 trade fairs that were held in the region and in the different parts of the country in 2016. The MSMEs also benefitted from their participation in high traffic venues like malls and exhibition centers in Metro Manila. Notable among the trade fairs is the Likhang Central Luzon Trade Fair, which was held on October 10 to 13, 2016 at the Glorietta Activity Center in the Ayala Malls in Makati City.

The Likha trade fair enabled more than 100 Central Luzon sellers earn a total of P32.55million within the fourday selling period of the fair. The National Trade Fair held recently on December 7 to 11, 2016 at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City was participated in by 28 exhibitors from Central Luzon. They earned a total of P7.02-million in sales from the five day trade fair where they sold food products, wearables, gifts, decors and housewares. Another big ticket International Fair for Central Luzon MSMEs is the Manila FAME held on April 2124 and October 20 to 22, 2016 at the World Trade Center and SMX Convention Center, respectively. The FAME show which is held twice a year drew a combined sales of P7.4- million for the 32 Central Luzon exhibitors which are mostly exporters.

The DTI-3 also led a contingent of eight entrepreneurs from Bulacan who participated in the 2016 Philippine Festival

Trade Fair held in Hibiya Park, Tokyo, Japan on June 18 to 19, 2016. The delegation was also able to develop market linkages with the business community in Japan.

Pampanga MSMEs continue to have the most trade fair exhibitors in 2016 with 497 earning a total of P38.34-million, followed by Bulacan with 280 sellers who earned P20.49-million and Bataan with 242 sellers who earned P5.23-million. Nueva Ecija had 197 participants who earned a total of P20.18 Million while Aurora had 151 sellers who earned a total of P4.95- million. Tarlac had 146 participants earning P4.02-million. There were also 74 trade fair participants from Zambales earning a total of P1.19- million.---