TACLOBAN CITY – Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Eastern Visayas are aiming to generate at least PHP35 million in sales during the five-day Bahandi Trade Fair in Metro Manila from October 3 to 7.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is organizing the 25th Bahandi market fair at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City to connect local producers with institutional buyers from Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
DTI Eastern Visayas Regional Director Celerina Bato expressed optimism about achieving the sales target, citing the intensive promotion efforts by DTI and the producers. Based on past experiences, sales in Metro Manila trade fairs are typically ten times higher than those in local trade fairs.
A total of 158 producers from the region’s six provinces will be participating in this year’s market fair. The products on display will include peanut butter, carabao milk, ginger tea, chocolate and other cacao-based products, coconut wine and other coco-based products, moron, binagol, calamansi concentrate, leather shoes, baked products, suman, native bags, and handicrafts.
The Bahandi trade fair, now in its 24th year, is themed “Tradition meets Innovation.” For the first time, several artists will be joining to showcase their artworks depicting the region’s products, culture, and destinations.
The DTI launched the Bahandi trade fair in 1998 with its first exhibit in Tacloban City. Bahandi is the local term for wealth.