APEC trade exhibit opens today

CEBU, Philippines - A trade official hopes the exhibit opening today for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meetings in Cebu will help Cebuano entrepreneurs increase their sales locally amid the current export slowdown.

Nelia Navarro, Cebu provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), said local exporters are currently experiencing a "soft market" overseas.

That's why she hopes that participating entrepreneurs especially exporters at the exhibit, which opens today at the Northwing of SM City Cebu, will be able to hike sales.

There are at least 16 exhibitors who are displaying Cebu products at the shopping exhibit -- running today until September 8 -- such as accessories, furniture, home decors, wearables and footwear, among others.

Navarro told The FREEMAN the same exhibit will also be opened in the Atrium area of the same mall on September 2-8. There will be at least 30 exhibitors for the second Apec exhibit which will also feature local brands.

She said they are expecting Apec delegates to visit the shopping exhibits as it is part of the itinerary of the technical tour the Department of Tourism (DoT) is hosting for them.

At least 3,000 delegates are expected to attend the Apec meetings here. "We hope all of them will have the chance to visit," she said.

The director added the exhibits are also an opportunity for Cebu entrepreneurs to show and sell their high-end, export-quality products to the locals not just foreign visitors. 

The official also disclosed that organizers had allocated a budget of close to P2 million -- funded by DTI, Province of Cebu and SM -- for the Northwing exhibit and about P800,000 for the one in Atrium.

The shopping exhibit is Cebu's version of the Shop Philippines which was also held in Boracay during some Apec meetings there.  (FREEMAN)