SOUTHERN INVASION

News from Mindanao is, more often than not, about conflict and strife, travel advisories and military operations. But take a closer look and Mindanao reveals itself to be so much more–with a culture that is multi-faceted and multi-layered, a landscape that is lush and diverse, an economy that is vibrant and dynamic, a people that is resilient and creative.

Mindanao will showcase the best it has to offer in the Mindanao Trade Expo 2004 to be held on August 18 to 22 at the Megatrade Hall 2 at SM Megamall. The fair will exhibit and sell a wide range of products from food to furniture, from fine jewelry to flowers, toys, textiles, housewares and processed food.

It will also be an extravaganza of Mindanao lifestyles, where each of the island’s six regions will feature their regional food and local delicacies, tourist destinations, native artsand skills as well as cultural identities.

In the early 1990s, trade and product fairs in Mindanao were few and far between, occasionally organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (dti). Things took a turn for the better in 1996 when a group of handicraft manufacturers sought assistance from the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Growth with equity in Mindanao (gem), the dti’s Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (citem) and the Department of Agriculture to organize the first Mindanao Trade Expo (mte).

That first venture’s unexpected success led to its becoming an annual event, and after eight years, over P504 million in sales and participation by over 1,100 exhibitors, mte is considered an institution; a venue to test market products and a veritable representation of Mindanao’s thriving business community. Sice then, the mte has become an indispensable promotional medium for the island’s indigenous yet contemporary products.

Engr. Merly Cruz, dti-Region 11 director, expresses optimism about the prospects of business in Mindanao. "Notwithstanding the conflicts, which are actually few and far between and concentrated only in certain areas of the island, Mindanao is on the right track for development given the solid, positive stance that Mindanaoans have exhibited over the years," she says. "The private sector has taken the initiative to build for themselves a vibrant and stronger economy by creating new products, developing new designs, reaching out to bigger markets, and basically just by being more competitive and forward-looking."

For her part, Ann Pamintuan, president of the Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation Inc. (mtefi), explains that Mindanao-based exhibitors as well as manufacturers who source from Mindanao can take advantage of the trade fair to "generate immediate sales in Metro Manila’s premier mall, transact with representatives from Manila-based foreign buyers as well as market one’s products outside of Mindanao..."

Adjunct activities will offer participants "a chance to take part in new entrepreneurial and skills trainings."

Pamintuan, an award-winning designer and exporter, adds, "It is time to move forward to market and showcase Mindanao-made products with excellent quality and craftsmanship."

The trade fair will also feature regional pavilions, Best of the Region Day, food tasting, a fellowship cocktail with cultural presentation. An Investment and Tourism Center will showcase the different destinations in Mindanao and areas of possible investments.