The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is organizing the 25th Bahandi Trade Fair in Metro Manila, aiming to bring at least PHP35 million in sales for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Eastern Visayas.
The five-day fair, scheduled from October 3 to 7, will be held at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, allowing local producers to connect with institutional buyers from Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
Bahandi fair aims for P35-M sales
The DTI is optimistic about meeting the sales target, citing past experiences where sales from trade fairs in Metro Manila were 10 times higher than those earned in local trade fairs.
A total of 158 producers from the six provinces of Eastern Visayas will be participating in the fair, with 43 from Leyte, 42 from Northern Samar, 25 from Samar, 25 from Eastern Samar, 16 from Biliran, and seven from Southern Leyte.
The participants have been prepared and qualified to sell their products through various assistance from the DTI, with 29% of them being rookie exhibitors.
The fair will feature a wide range of products, including peanut butter, carabao milk, ginger tea, chocolate and other cacao-based products, coconut wine and other coco-based products, moron (sticky rice cake with chocolate), binagol (a sweet treat in a coconut shell), calamansi concentrate, leather shoes, baked products, suman (sticky rice cake), native bags, and handicrafts.
This year's fair will also feature artworks by local artists depicting the region's products, culture, and destinations.
The Bahandi Trade Fair was launched in 1998 by the DTI with its first exhibit in Tacloban City, with the theme "Tradition meets Innovation" highlighting the fusion of traditional and modern products and practices.
Photo Courtesy: Bahandi Eastern Visayas Trade Fair
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