DTI boosts regional products’ presence in Metro Manila
Business Mirror
August 30, 2016
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) continues to boost the presence of regional micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Metro Manila market, as it provides an avenue to sell their products and services for a period of time at the One Town, One Product (Otop) Makati Showroom.
The recently concluded exhibit at the showroom, dubbed as “Bahandi: Eastern Visayas Island Treats,” recorded a total of P3.125 million total sales that included P971,000 total cash sales and P2.145 million booked sales, the highest recorded sale among 25 entities that showcased their products since the showroom’s inception in 2009.
The DTI’s Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP) said a total of 50 exhibitors from Region 8 participated and were able to exhibit their products from July 4 to 29. Local products, such as the handmade mats (banig) of Leyte; food products, like teas, tablea chocolates, banana chips, honey and other local delicacies; and fashion accessories were among the products visited by over 3,350 guests and trade buyers.
“We hope to encourage more MSMEs, especially with the help of their respective LGUs [local government units] to bring their products here in Metro Manila and let us promote them. We are here to support every entrepreneur in the region that needs support for promotion and market access through Otop Makati Showroom,” DTI’s BDTP Director Rhodora Leaño said.
DTI noted its plan of strengthening the Otop program this year by enhancing the Makati Showroom landscape and by further incorporating promotional activities with commercial establishments, such as malls. More medium and large enterprises will be encouraged to link up with micro and small enterprises, including those large establishments through the promotion of the practice of inclusive business (IB).
DTI established Otop Philippines to support small and medium enterprises through product development, marketing, promotions, business counselling, skills and entrepreneurial training, and capital sourcing. It helps in the development of a particular province’s or region’s main produce or industry in able to revitalize each region’s economic activity. Through the conduct of regional and national trade fairs, products from the regions are showcased to the domestic markets and possible trade partners.
The Otop Makati Showroom is one way of providing market avenues to introduce products in the local market.
Otop Philippines is also envisioned to become a global brand for Philippine products. With stringent standards for quality, market acceptance and competitiveness, the DTI hopes to encourage more MSMEs to carry the Otop seal.□
Kathleen Joyce Bondoc, Department of Trade and Industry