3rd OTOP Visayas Fair highlights raw materials

The 3rd One Town One Product (OTOP) Visayas Island Fair promises to be another best selling marketing event this year as it brings to the fore the bounty and distinctive beauty of Central Philippines on November 12-16 at the SM City Cebu Atrium.

To attract more exporters, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will set-up a special setting showcasing different raw materials and how it can be transformed into novelty artworks.

"We would like to show to the public, especially our institutional buyers, what other natural resources the Visayas has to offer thru the "Raw Materials Showcase", DTI   Central Visayas regional director Asteria Caberte said.

Raw materials on display at the trade fair will include Kawayan Tinik, Gmelina or Melina, Ipil-ipil, Fibers of Banana plant, Fossilized Flowers, Corn, Recycled Materials, Woven Fibers, Coconut Husk, Bayog, Tinik, Tickling, Bolo, Lanao, Buho, Fossilized/ Skeletonized Leaves, among others.

Caberte added that for this year's trade activity, new products and new designs will be offered for sale and order-taking. "We hope to generate robust sales with the coming holiday season."

Several new products/designs coming from the different MSMEs were developed thru the product development efforts of the DTI. "Products under the One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) program will be the main feature in this fair," Caberte said.

More than a hundred entrepreneurs from Central, Eastern and Western Visayas regions will be selling their wares ranging from souvenir items, novelty items, gift items to home decors, natural fiber, processed food, footwear and wearables.

A side activity during the trade fair is a financing forum on November 14 at the SM City Cebu function room.

The financing forum will have representatives from DBP, LBP, Quedancor, SB Corp. and Planters Bank as speakers.