Davao MSMEs earn P942.78 M in trade fairs

MANILA, Philippines - Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Davao generated P942.78 million worth of sales from its participation in trade fairs in 2013, beating the P800-million goal for the year, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

DTI Davao region officer-in-charge Belenda Ambi said in a statement the assistance provided by the DTI to the MSMEs to be able to participate in trade fairs contributed to the sales performance last year.

In the International Food Expo conducted in Manila in May, the 23 participating MSMEs from Davao had total sales of P15.4 million.

As for the Manila FAME, another trade fair which is spearheaded by the DTI, the Davao region’s MSMEs generated $30,000 worth of total sales.

In the Tindahang Pinoy, a pasalubong center which showcases the Davao region’s authentic and sustainable products, the 26 participating MSMEs reaped total sales amounting to P1.534 million.

The products that generated much of the domestic transactions include fresh and processed fruits such as banana, durian, mango, pineapple, and coconut; processed fish (tuna and pangasius); processed meat and vegetables; juice and beverages; handcrafted products; beauty and health; jewelry; and wood products.

Among the new products that showed promising potential in the domestic and export markets are chili powder, chili sauce, and chili paste produced by MSMEs in the Super Typhoon Pablo-affected areas of Davao Oriental.

“Though affected by Super Typhoon Pablo in 2012, these powdered chili makers have proven that we can really rise above the challenges,” Ambi said.

Aside from assistance to take part in trade fairs, the DTI likewise provided 34 shared service facilities (SSF) worth P9.253 million last year to support MSMEs in their production.

The said 34 SSFs assisted 930 MSMEs and generated 1,845 jobs.

“The SSF, being an intervention that provides the needed equipment and facilities for MSMEs who are not yet capable to buy their own, is actually geared towards helping them improve their productivity so that they can increase their sales or income,” Ambi said.

For this year, she said the DTI would continue to implement programs, projects, and activities that would further improve the local MSMEs.