The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is pushing for the development of more top quality and “world-class” products from parts of Region 12 or Soccsksargen.
Dorecita Delima, DTI-12 regional director, said in a statement Wednesday they are currently assisting local entrepreneurs in improving existing products and establish fresh goods that could potentially enter the lucrative export markets.
She said the initiative is mainly focused on food and non-food products sourced and produced within the region’s four provinces (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani) and five cities — General Santos City, Kidapawan City, Cotabato City, Koronadal City and Tacurong City.
“We actually have a lot of promising products coming from various areas in Region 12 and we just need to improve and help them reach the mainstream markets,” she said.
Delima specifically cited processed tropical fruits, processed foods and furniture, as well as various arts and crafts.
Some of these products are being showcased by the agency in a five-day regional trade fair and exposition that formally opened on Wednesday at the SM Mall here.
Dubbed “Treasures of Region 12 Jobs and Business Fair,” the event is an annual marketing and promotional activity spearheaded by DTI-12 to promote various local products and services.
The event, which mainly features more than 200 products and around 100 exhibitors and entrepreneurs, is backed by local government units and the Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Labor and Employment and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
Delima said the exhibitors were local entrepreneurs that they assisted in terms of product development and improvement.
“All 45 municipalities and five cities of Region 12 were represented in our trade expo,” she said. (PNA)
