Aklan pineapple/fiber trade fair sees P5 M sales

MANILA, Philippines - Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Aklan are aiming to generate P5 million worth of sales from a trade fair for pineapple and fiber products to be held in the province next week.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said that some 57 MSMEs from 17 local government units are participating in the upcoming Aklan Piña and Fiber Festival Fair.

“They are are targeting to sell P5 million worth of goods,” the DTI said.

The Aklan Piña and Fiber Festival Fair will be held from April 22 to 30 at the Trade Hall of the provincial capital grounds in Kalibo.

The show is being organized by the DTI in partnership with Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc., and the provincial government of Aklan.

The fair which is now on its 13th year, will feature products from indigenous fibers such as piña, abaca, raffia and nito.

It will also showcase piña wearables and high fashion apparel, gifts and housewares, furniture and furnishings, and agriculture and aqua-based processed foods.

The fair will likewise show the various uses and applications of abaca.

Some Manila-based trading houses are expected to participate in the fair.

These trading houses are EMM Exports, DLM Fine Crafts, Rustan’s, Angelique Fine Craft, Balikbayan Handicraft, and Island Accents.

Exhibitors in the fair are not only expected to benefit from the visit of the trading houses in terms of sales of products, but also from suggestions to be given to improve their products.

“These buyers from big Manila-based trading houses and consolidators will not only buy from the exhibitors, but will also provide them with practical inputs and suggestions on how to improve the marketability of their products,” DTI Aklan provincial director Diosdado Cadena Jr. said. The visit of the trading houses is being facilitated by the DTI.