Opening of exporters' depot to cushion recession impact

CEBU, Philippines - Next week’s opening of “Tindahang Pinoy” will showcase the strong collaboration of the export and tourism sectors in Cebu.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) regional director Asteria Caberte said yesterday that this facility will provide the export sector a ‘relief’ and is seen to strengthen the penetration of the industry into the local market, while the major export markets like US and Europe are still struggling.

Aligned with the Aquino government’s thrust of helping the export sector thrive amid a weak global market, Caberte said the opening of “Tindahang Pinoy” in Cebu, which is the third facility in the country, will help cushion the impact of the global recession.

The Cebu Gifts, Toys and Housewares, Foundation Inc., (Cebu GTH) is set to open the “Tindahang Pinoy” depot and the Bridges commercial mall located in Mandaue City.

Despite the delayed budget from the government, which was supposed to infuse P1 million for the project, Cebu-GTH board member Jenifer Cruz said the 500 square-meter exporters’ depot was realized and will finally open in the first week of December this year.

The Cebu-GTH shelled out P2 million from the organization’s own coffers for the facility.

The “Tindahang Pinoy” is a depot which will showcase the world-class, export quality products in Cebu, to be managed by Cebu-GTH in cooperation with the DTI.

Caberte said there is an urgent need for Cebu to establish this kind of facility most importantly that Cebu is slowly gaining prestige in terms of quality export products.

The store will not only accommodate exporters from the GTH and fashion accessory sectors based in Cebu, but it will also invite exporters from other provinces in the region, that will pass the standards set by Cebu-GTH.

In 2009, Caberte was informed by PITC that the P15 million budget to build a permanent showroom for exporters in Cebu has been approved. This will answer to the call of the export sector to have a permanent showroom facility.

The original plan was for PITC to partner with DTI to facilitate on the construction of exporters’ permanent showroom in Cebu.

Although, the original plan was not realized, Caberte said the project will be pursued even with lesser budget.—(FREEMAN)