A total of 52 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) participated in the pre-Christmas trade fair of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at the Robinsons Mall in Gapan City, where buyers can come and enjoy shopping until tomorrow, December 6.
According to DTI Nueva Ecija Provincial Director Richard Simangan, as an agricultural province, Nueva Ecija offers not only agricultural goods, but many innovative products locally made by Novo Ecijanos.
Among the featured products include embroidered barong Tagalog and Filipiniana gowns made by LJRM Enterprises; antique furniture from Pantabangan; curtains and pillowcases by Glamorosa Enterprises; hand-painted bags by A’eva fashion bags; handmade crochet bags, pouches, car diffusers, plant hangers, and wall hangings by KTC- Trends Handicraft Trading; and slippers and sandals made by Lhand Walkz footwear.
Exhibitors also displayed food products such as pastillas, crispy mushroom chips, piaya cara-ube, sandwich spread, crispy kangkong chips, wine, soybeans bagoong, calamansi juice, banana chips, chicharon, yema cake, cacao products, bread and pastries, and many others.
Simangan said DTI is looking for ways to help provide the needs of MSMEs, such as conducting this free trade fair to help local entrepreneurs introduce and bring their products closer to the consumers.
“It is seen as a big help, especially to MSMEs who come from remote areas in the province, because they will not have to worry about their rental fees,” he added.
The 52 participating MSMEs come from 20 towns and cities in Nueva Ecija, such as the towns of Nampicuan, Cuyapo, Guimba, Santo Domingo, Talavera, Rizal, Llanera, Pantabangan, Laur, Bongabon, Santa Rosa, San Isidro, Cabiao, Peñaranda, and General Tinio.
There are also participating MSMEs from the five cities of the province, such as Cabanatuan, San Jose, Palayan, Gapan, and the Science City of Muñoz.
Simangan also announced that throughout the year, DTI has already conducted 15 trade fairs in Nueva Ecija, which generated more than P20 million sales.
Most of these trade fairs are featured in town and city festivals which served as the first step for MSMEs to participate in larger-scale trade fairs inside and outside the province.
Simangan, on the other hand, ensures that all the products that can be purchased at the trade fairs are of good quality and have undergone a thorough review, such as product development, packaging, and labeling.
He also called on the public to continue supporting the development of MSMEs by patronizing and buying their products. (MJSC/CCN- PIA 3)