BUY LOCAL. Home-grown entrepreneurs like Agnes Asuncion proudly showcase their products at the Partuat ni Kailokuan Trade Fair in San Nicolas town, Ilocos Norte. The event runs from Dec. 3-9, 2021 at the Robinsons Mall San Nicolas activity area. (PNA photo by Leilanie G. Adriano)
LAOAG CITY – Home-grown enterprises in the province of Ilocos Norte get a fair share of promoting their own products at the “Partuat ni Kailokuan” Trade Fair held at the Robinsons Mall in San Nicolas town, Ilocos Norte on Dec. 3-9.
Presenting the last batch of her remaining harvest of dragon fruits arranged neatly in a layered fruit tray, lady farmer-entrepreneur Agnes Asuncion said Friday she is always excited to join the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-initiated trade fair not only to sell her products but also to meet new and old buyers who continue to patronize her dragon fruit herbal soap, dragon fruit wine, and massage oil, among others.
As one of the regular exhibitors who never missed a trade fair like this, Asuncion said she is thankful to the DTI and other government agencies and institutions that continue to provide assistance to all micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) to further improve their products and widen their market reach.
In between work at the farm and processing and packaging her products all by herself, Asuncion said she enjoys mingling with people in trade fairs and get inspiration from them.
“I am so thankful to DTI for helping us improve in so many ways,” she told the Philippine News Agency in an interview during the opening of the trade fair.
The "Partuat ni Kailokuan" Trade Fair dubbed as "Locally Sourced” is being conducted annually featuring a variety of food and non-food products that are produced in the province but are globally competitive.
This year’s showcase includes all-weather furniture, houseware and decor, wearables and fashion items, gifts and souvenirs, fresh and processed food, wellness products, and many more.
With the assistance of the DTI and other concerned government agencies, MSMEs here acknowledged that they are slowly making their presence felt in the online market, aside from joining trade fairs to expand their market reach.
Before joining exhibits, MSMEs go through rigorous product development through seminars and trainings on market strategies and product design, among others.
DTI also aims that through trade fairs, more groups and individuals will be encouraged to do business also. (PNA)
