DTI forecasts P15-M sales for Sikat Pinoy fair

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) expects exhibitors to generate P15 million worth of sales from the ongoing Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair, a trade show for homegrown food products and delicacies from all over the country.

“The Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair expects to generate sales of at least P15 million for the exhibitors,” the DTI said in a statement.

Bureau of Domestic Trade Director Rhodora Leano said during the opening Thursday (Aug. 22) of the trade show in the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall that more than 250 food entrepreneurs from the country’s 16 regions are participating in the event.

The Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair, which will run until Aug. 25, is organized by the DTI’s Bureau of Domestic Trade (with its regional and provincial offices as well as the Department of Agriculture) to bring the country’s food products, regional specialties and other delicacies in one venue.

Through the trade show, the DTI would like to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the food and beverage sector to link with buyers of their products.

This, as DTI records show that about half of the country’s MSMEs are in the food and beverage sector.

“We sincerely believe in the potentials of these companies,” Leano said.

She added that as institutional buyers from hotels, resorts and restaurants are expected to attend the event, the government is hopeful that MSMEs could find more buyers for their products.

For his part, DTI Undersecretary Ponciano Manalo, Jr. said the department also wants to help MSMEs sell their products overseas.

“With the huge potential for Filipino food entrepreneurs, we hope to provide greater access for our MSMEs, to the point that they will be successful enough to eventually make it to the international market,” he said.

Among the products being offered at the trade show are baked products, snack foods, processed fruits and vegetables, wines and beverages, sauces and condiments, organic and natural products, processed marine products as well as processed meat products.

The trade show also features a coffee pavilion which sell’s and gives sample coffee products, as well as a Filipino Kitchen which serves hot meals.