Extended until today, Sinulog trade fair exceeds sales target of P3 million

CEBU, Philippines - Even after the drumbeat and merry spirit of the Sinulog revelry last weekend, the Sinulog Fiesta Trade Fair of the Department of Trade and Industry Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-CPO) is extended today due to upbeat sales and positive market reception.

Sinulog Trade Fair Committee Chairman Elias GuiaTecson, who is also the business development division chief of DTI -CPO, said that the exhibit was initially slated to run from January 10 to 20 but was then extended until the 23rd due to the request of the exhibitors themselves.

He also revealed that they already reached P3.57 million for 11 consecutive days this year compared to the P3.45 million sales recorded in the same period last year.

He added that they have exceeded the targeted sales of P3 million for the 2014 Sinulog Trade Fair.

Around 45 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Cebu and from other neighboring provinces like Bohol, Laguna, Caloocan, Davao and Cainta, Rizal occupy the 52 booths in the fair that is held at SM City Cebu Atrium. 

The two-week long fair showcases a variety of locally-manufactured products such as native delicacies, processed foods, organics, novelty items, wearables, health and wellness products and export quality furniture.

Tecson cited that this year, most of the exhibitors are manufacturers of One Town, One Product (OTOP), gifts and house wares.

He also said that MSMEs who participated in the trade fair have undergone trainings on product design, product development and merchandising, hence the higher quality of products and better booth presentation.

He further shared that they plan to highlight health and wellness products in the next year's fair to specifically feature those manufactured in the shared service facilities of the province.

To promote further income opportunities, the government agency initiated the trade fair and exposition to market Cebu MSMEs in time of the Sinulog festivities.

The annual trade and marketing event is intended to increase sales and generate employment, showcase and promote globally-competitive Filipino-made products, develop and expand the market of entrepreneurs, and to build linkages between the MSMEs and to their prospective local and international buyers and suppliers.

DTI-CPO provincial director Nelia Navarro said that it is good to note how MSMEs have found new and larger opportunities to earn higher income and increase their sales generation at present.

She added that the trade department continues to strengthen and assist the sector through its intervention programs particularly in the field of financing, marketing, training, skills upgrading, product and technology development and access to business-related knowledge and information.

The Sinulog Fiesta Trade Fair is jointly undertaken by the trade department with the Cebu City Government and the Sinulog Foundation.

It first started at the Plaza Independencia in 2003 and has been transferred to SM City Cebu last 2006 for a more strategic venue and regular trade collaboration with the increasing number of participants and growing sales turn-out for MSMEs. — (FREEMAN)