Koronadal City, South Cotabato – The Department of Trade and Industry – Region 12 (DTI-12), through its One Town, One Product (OTOP) Program has successfully marketed a total of P380,000 worth of products produced by the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) of Region 12 in the recently concluded Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizcon) in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.
The sales figure is a result of the 3-day endeavor of DTI-12 that culminated on 2 September 2022 to market the more than 50 best products composed of premium roasted coffee, fine chocolates and tablea, condiments, fruit concentrates and preserves, and an assortment of pastry products and chips. These products underwent rigorous product quality, branding, and packaging and labeling interventions through the OTOP’s Assessment, Consultation and Triage (ACT) session with an expert food technologist, brand consultant, and graphic artist.
In an interview, OIC-Regional Director Flora Politud-Gabunales of DTI-12 said that aside from the sales generated from participating in the trade exhibit, DTI-12 is currently facilitating a market matching with 2 business establishments that will become resellers of Region 12 products in Surigao del Sur.
“Our participation in the MinBizcon Trade Exhibit is our way to market test the products of the MSMEs. By doing so, we are also gathering feedback on how to further improve the products. I am very optimistic that we can successfully close the deal with 2 possible resellers in Surigao del Sur,” said Politud-Gabunales.
The Mindanao Business Conference or MinBizcon is an annual event of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry that gathers the multi-sectoral representatives of Mindanao as well as the government line agencies and private partners in a forum to discuss convergence for the equitable and inclusive development in Mindanao.
More than 1,000 business persons from different parts of Mindanao took part in the MinBizcon. DTI-12 will also mount the Treasures of Region 12 (TR12) Trade Expo in November in General Santos City after the 2-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Considered the biggest trade exhibit in Region 12, a total of 50 local MSMEs are expected to participate in this trade expo. ♦
Date of Release: 6 September 2022