APEC trade exhibit rakes in P4.4 million

CEBU, Philippines - The “Exquisitely Filipino” exhibit generated P4.4 million sales revenue during the 18-day trade showcase meant for the delegates of the APEC Summit 2015.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) released yesterday the recorded sales revenue of the 48 participating exhibitors, most of whom were exporters.  Sales on record ranged from purchases made by walk-in buyers to booked and bulk orders by some APEC delegates.

Combined booked orders from different exporters and manufacturers in Cebu, including fashion accessories, home furnishings and decors,  furniture, among others nearly reached half a million pesos, or P421 thousand.

DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte said that orders under negotiation is expected to worth P2.3 million.

Caberte said that aside from the actual sales and the ongoing negotiations for further bulk orders, the industries--both exports and travel retail, are seen to improve their grip in the Asia Pacific market, as the buyers who were highly influential individuals, at the same time businessmen themselves will surely spread the "word of mouth" marketing.

The buyers of the "Exquisitely Cebu" exhibit will become powerful ambassadors of Cebu-made products to their home countries, Caberte said.

Members of the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc., (CFIF), Fashion Accessory Manufacturers and Exporters (FAME), Gifts, Decors and Housewares (Cebu-GDH), are actively participating the exhibit, including other individual entrepreneurs and artisans.

‘Exquisitely Filipino’ was a trade exhibit showcasing Filipino craftsmanship of export-quality products formally opened on August 22 and ended on September 8, purposely to show off  "Cebu's Best" to APEC Summit delegates.

The merchandise featured in the exhibit are done by Filipino artisans, most of whom are based in Cebu.

The exhibit was a partnership between the DTI, the Cebu Provincial Government, and SM City Cebu.

Crafted using native raw materials, these specialty products present a reinterpreted take on traditional Filipino aesthetics, skillfully curating the old with the new.

Caberte hopes that the exporters who participated during the exhibit were also able to link or established contacts with some their buyers for possible business partnerships. (FREEMAN)