40 firms sign up for #iammandaue shop launch

CEBU, Philippines - At least 40 exhibitors are set to display their products in the first #iammandaue shop to be opened by the Mandaue City government Monday at the second level of City Time Square.

The opening is in line with the city’s 46th Charter Day anniversary celebration, the Mandaue Business Month, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.

The #iammandaue shop will primarily showcase different Mandaue-made foods and products in an exposition setting. Products from other parts of Cebu will also be sold in the shop.

Genee Lou Nuñez, Mandaue’s strategy communications manager, said the city has tied up with the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry to gain exhibitors for the shop. The MCCI also helped in contacting several construction-related companies to build the shop.

MCCI will also contribute in managing the business, including the marketing, inventory, and sale aspects.

Marlene Gatpatan-Bedia, MCCI’s executive director, said 40 companies are going to exhibit their products in the first #iammandaue shop. These include firms that manufacture furniture, fashion accessories, plastic products, home wares, among others.

Bedia added that a memorandum of agreement was scheduled for signing yesterday between MCCI and Red Star, an IT company that will create an online application for the #iammandaue shop.

“They (Red Star) come up with a cellphone app… the app will alert me if I am 500 meters away from the shop,” Bedia said.

Ian Frenido, an interior designer, said they divided the shop into three sections: the showroom, souvenir section, and café.

Frenido said Mandaue-made products have a gold seal or Mugna Mandaue while others have a silver seal which means Bahandi sa Sugbo.

These products can be found in the 130-square meter shop.

Frenido also said they are targeting to open five other #iammandaue shops in different areas in Mandaue by December.  (FREEMAN)