The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP) with the support from DTI Regional and Provincial Offices will showcase various products of local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at the Sikat Pinoy National Trade Fair (NTF) on 7 to 11 December at the Megatrade Halls 1-3, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

The five-day National Trade Fair features a wide array of products carefully selected from various regions and provinces of the Philippines. Products that are up for sale include processed food, wearables, home furnishings, furniture, and health and wellness products.

Some notable displays present at the fair are the Yakan handwoven products from Zamboanga City, pure honey from Bukidnon, VCO soap from Compostela Valley and fruit wines from Agusan del Norte.

“The National Trade Fair aims to provide avenues for our local MSMEs to showcase their world-class products to our domestic markets, especially to buyers and consumers in the National Capital Region,” said BDTP Director Rhodora Leaño.

Aside from the buying public, members of various trade associations and retail & wholesale institutional buyers seeking subcontractors & suppliers of intermediate and finished products are expected to attend and visit the said trade fair.

DTI hopes to attract more visitors and buyers for this year’s NTF as the fair coincides with the upcoming Christmas and holiday shopping season.

“We urge our fellow Filipinos to buy locally-produced products and support our local MSMEs as they help in providing jobs in their respective communities,” said DTI Industry Promotion Group Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado.

In the 2014 figures of the Philippine Statistics Agency, there are about 946,988 established MSMEs which account for 99.6% of the total businesses in the country that employ 63% of the total labor force. With this number, DTI sees the potential of MSMEs in driving economic growth and aside from serving as the primary provider of jobs for most Filipinos in the regions.

Sikat Pinoy National Trade Fair is conducted annually by the DTI-BDTP as a means of promoting Philippine products at the domestic level. It also recently held the Sikat Pinoy National Arts and Crafts Fair which promoted the indigenous products of the Philippines and world-class talents of Filipino artisans.