TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Calabarzon Regional Office announced that it will stage its 10-day “5th KALAKAL CALABARZON” Trade Fair on Oct. 12-21 at the Festival Supermall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Mia Angeline V. Cortez, DTI Calabarzon regional public information officer, told the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday that this year’s trade fair will feature the products of 75 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region.
Cortez said the MSMEs are assisted under the “One Town, One Product (OTOP) Next Gen (ONG) Program.
“These MSMEs are the beneficiaries of product development, one of the primary interventions under OTOP-ONG, which enables them to improve and enhance the quality, designs, and marketability of their products,” explained Cortez.
She added that the trade fair will focus on showcasing and highlighting the newly-developed products of participating MSMEs.
“For this year’s KALAKAL, we are very excited to introduce our upgraded and innovative products as we envision our micro, small, and medium enterprises to go global. We have so many things in store for our buyers,” DTI Calabarzon Regional Director Marilou Q. Toledo said.
Toledo explained that “KALAKAL CALABARZON” is an annual event organized by the DTI in Region IV-A in cooperation with the DTI provincial offices.
“The fair is considered as an appropriate venue for the Calabarzon MSMES to strengthen the linkages among the various players in regional economic development by providing an accessible venue for promotion of all the products and services,” Toledo said.
The regional trade event, she said, seeks to help participants sustain existing and develop untapped markets. It also targets to strengthen networks and linkages with the government stakeholders and private entities. (Gladys Pino/PNA)