Sandugo trade fair to showcase green products and initiatives

CEBU, Philippines - More than 90 exhibitors from the Visayas and Mindanao regions are expected to join this year’s Sandugo Regional Trade Expo in Tagbilaran City, Bohol that will primarily highlight green products and initiatives.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry - 7, the regional trade fair during the Sandugo Festival will be held at the Island City Mall, Tagbilaran City from July 24 to 28.

With the theme dubbed as ‘Go Green. Buy Local,” this year’s trade event will showcase environment-friendly product lines and prototypes for handicraft, processed food, fashion accessories, gifts, decors and housewares. 

The Sandugo Regional Trade Expo 2013 is intended to uphold the Philippine tourism and support the joint project of DTI and Deutsche Gesellschaft Fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Promotion of Green  Economic Development (ProGED).

The trade fair will also feature activities such as the Green Forum that will be held on July 25 and an SME Roving Academy and National Competitiveness Council Roadshow on July 26.

Booths will be set up in the venue that will display green initiatives and present the wealth of natural wonders in the Philippines. This, according to DTI-7, will further attract international and domestic tourists to come and visit the country.

The trade department further expects national and international buyers including exporters, wholesalers, buying agents, retailers, manufacturers and subcontractors to attend the expo.

At present, the Philippine government encourages MSMEs to adopt energy-saving and recycling measures that will contribute to a sustainable environment and reduce waste.

“Research shows that there is a growing trend for visitors to seek out tourism businesses that take an ethical approach to the environment, and many of these visitors are prepared to pay more for ‘greener’ products and services,” the trade department said in its recent press statement.

ProGED is a project that addresses climate change and environmental threats from the perspective of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines. DTI recognizes the strong link between the green development path and enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises.

In earlier reports, DTI-7 also conducts product development trainings among small-scale entrepreneurs in preparation for various big trade fairs to be held within this year.

These include this month’s Sandugo Festival regional trade expo in Tagbilaran City and the national trade fairs in Manila.

DTI–Cebu business development division chief Elias Tecson lauded the interested participating exhibitors who have been cooperative and open-minded to follow the trend of the market. — (FREEMAN)