Caraga local enterprises, associations join reg’l trade fair
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| Gay A. Tidalgo, regional director of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga delivered her opening message during the Buy Caraga By Caraga Regional Trade Fair Balangay Festival Edition Opening Ceremony. Photos by PIA Caraga. |
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) -- Some 50 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands and different associations in Caraga region participated in the Buy Caraga By Caraga Regional Trade Fair Balangay Festival Edition in Robinsons Place Butuan, Butuan City on May 18-24.
The Buy Caraga By Caraga is an annual activity where MSMEs can proudly showcase their quality and best products where they can gain new patrons of their products and potential long term investors.
"The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is very thankful to all the participating MSMEs. You are the reason for this activity. Without you, we will not have this kind of activity." said Gay A. Tidalgo, regional director of DTI during the opening program.
Dir. Tidalgo recognized the advancement of MSMEs when it comes to their product packaging. Having poor product packaging was a longstanding problem of the region. Through series of collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Caraga State University (CSU), and other agencies under the packaging, labelling, and innovation center (PLIC), as well as packaging training/seminar initiatives of DTI, MSMEs vastly improved their product packaging.
"I am so happy and proud that we already have those products. Not just products but products with good packaging. We can already compete with the other regions of the country and even in the national trade fair in Manila in July," said Tidalgo.
During the trade fair prototypes emphasizing innovation and continuous product improvement were displayed. Food and Drug Administration - License to Operate (FDA-LTO) certified MSMEs also participated in the trade fair to motivate other MSMEs.
Part of the opening program of the trade fair was the recognition of the five awardees of the 2024 Successful Women Entrepreneur Awards namely, Janice Nilda A. Mira from Agusan del Norte, Cleotilde T. Potencioso from Agusan del Sur, Adelfel A. Madelo from Surigao del Norte, Marisa Q. Rom from Surigao del Sur, and Atty. Sheralyne D. PequiΓ±a from the Province of Dinagat Islands for their resilience, innovation, unwavering perseverance to excellence.
Janice Nilda A. Mira, from the Amamio Farm Products, expressed gratitude to DTI Caraga for their continued support and for the opportunity to show their best products and creations.
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| Products of the Lanuza Agsamcraft Weavers Association from Surigao del Sur were showcased in the product parade during the Buy Caraga By Caraga Regional Trade Fair Balangay Festival Edition in Robinsons Place Butuan, Butuan City. |
“Our brand was noticed at the same time we earned new distributors and resellers. There were bulk orders from the different parts of the country as well as foreign countries.” Mira shared their experience when they first participated in the Buy Caraga By Caraga regional trade fair.
She also encouraged the other entrepreneurs to continue their goal in creating excellent products to fully satisfy their customers and to not forget their passion and always love what they do to persevere.
The opening program ended with a press conference wherein the key officials of DTI Caraga actively answered the questions raised by the media partners.
The week-long Buy Caraga By Caraga Regional Trade Fair Balangay Festival Edition did not only showcase creative goods but also creative talents in the region through the series of activities conducted daily such as Spoken Word Poetry contest, bands of Caraga battle concert, and more. (MFC/PIA-Caraga)
