By THEPHILBIZNEWS STAFF
Showcasing the best of Cordillera Administrative Region, more than 80 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) joined the 24th IMPAKABSAT Regional Trade Fair which opened up last November 15 and will run until November 24 at Festival Mall, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Department of Trade Regional Director for CAR, Myrna Pablo, accentuated through the opening program, IMPAKABSAT, which stands for the region’s six provinces, namely, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Benguet, and the city of Baguio and is then completed with the Ilocano word “kabsat” which means brother or sister, describes the whole of the Cordilleras. This is a manifestation of the rich and vibrant culture in the region and how the products of the participating MSMEs reflect such.
One Town One Product (OTOP) Next Gen Program Manager and Regional Operations Group Assistant Secretary Demphna Du-Naga encouraged the MSMEs to continuously innovate their products through availing OTOP assistance on product development, design, packaging, branding, production capability, among others, transitioning them to be more market-oriented and innovation-driven.
“Ang mandatos ng ating Presidente ay tulungan ang lahat ng mga negosyante sa bansa. Sa pamamagitan ng OTOP Next Gen, ang simpleng produkto ninyo ay sasailalim sa product development at innovation tulad ng packaging at branding. Mas magiging marketable ang produkto, mas mabenta sa merkado.” ASec. Naga said during the opening ceremony.
(Photo courtesy of DTI PRU)
The annual IMPAKABSAT aims to develop and strengthen small and medium enterprises from the region, through the promotion of its indigenous crafts, skills, resources and investment potentials. Products featured at the trade fair vary from organic and natural products, fresh & processed food, wearables and homestyles, coffee, bamboocraft, woodcraft, and furniture & furnishings.
This year’s edition of the trade fair puts the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and OTOP Next Gen Program beneficiaries on the spotlight. Likewise, CAR being the coffee capital in the Philippines, visitors and shoppers during the fair were served the best coffee in the region through KAPEtirya.
Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez speaking to THEPHILBIZNEWS said, that the DTI will continue to work across the country and have inclusive program for all micro, small and medium enterprises to ensure that their mandate to provide “Trabaho at Negosyo” will remain strong through the years.