Over 60 MSMEs joining Sinulog Trade Fair 2019

CEBU, Philippines — Over 60 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are joining this year's Sinulog Trade Fair, as this particular industry seeks to further boost its market reach.

The Department of Trade and Industry yesterday launched the trade event at SM City Cebu, which runs until January 21 in time for the Sinulog festivities.

DTI-Cebu provincial director Esperanza Melgar said in a phone interview Wednesday that at least 68 exhibitors are joining, mostly from Cebu.

The Cebu exhibitors come from the municipalities of Bantayan, Medellin, San Francisco, San Remigio, Santa Fe, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Tuburan and Bogo City.

Melgar said these are the municipalities affected by super typhoon Yolanda, which hit northern Cebu in 2013.

Moreover, at least 17 exhibitors come from other provinces in the country, including Agusan Del Sur, Baguio City, Bacolod City, Bohol, Davao City, Dumaguete City, General Santos, Negros Oriental, Palawan and Zamboanga City.

She said the participating entrepreneurs are engaged in various businesses such as gifts, decors and housewares (GDH); wearables; processed food; cacao and coffee; and health and wellness.

The trade event aims to attract both local and foreign visitors who are visiting during the Sinulog Festival to buy the locally made products to be sold at the fair.

The DTI said the trade fair is also an opportunity for the MSMEs to link with potential buyers, suppliers and producers.

Meanwhile, a Sinulog street trade fair is also annually put up along Osmeña Boulevard in Cebu City.

The street fair, organized by the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI), aims to help local traders from Cebu and other provinces in the countryside to showcase their products which include bags, key chains, home decors, personalized items and souvenir shirts.

Other vendors also have delicacies, accessories, wooden products and other native items to offer.

SFI annually organizes the street fair to raise funds for the Sinulog activities. (FREEMAN)