The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), will showcase 25 exhibitors of non-food coconut products made of coconut by-products and waste materials at the World Trade Center, Pasay City on Oct. 19-21.
DTI-EMB has partnered with organizations such as the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP), and the DTI Regional Offices in Regions 1, 3, 4A, 5, 7, 8, 11, and the National Capital Region (NCR) to promote companies specializing in non-food coconut products with high-value applications.
These coconut by-products and waste materials, such as trunks, husks, shells, leaves, and midribs, are utilized in design, fashion, and premium handmade crafts.
DTI supports selected coconut exhibitors with product development and business matching and will feature their products in a special setting at the Coconut Philippines Pavilion and Manila FAME Design Commune.
EMB Director Bianca Pearl Sykimte told Manila Bulletin that this initiative is DTI-EMB’s “contributory project under the Coconut Farmers Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).”
“The project aims to develop high-value non-food coconut products that we can promote in international markets,” Sykimte added.
Exhibitors under the CFIDP include: Del Mar Shellcrafts, MPC from Region 1; Ennoble from Region 3; Ai-She Footwear, Jhaz Footwear, and First Coco Craze Coconut Products Trading from Region 4A; Arden Classics, Everything Green Trading & Consulting, Natureline Enterprises, Terra Philippines, and Timbermate – HMT Industries Inc. from NCR; Bicolandia Organic Coco Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, Biday's Bagol Handicrafts, Cataniugan Handicrafts, Coco Technologies Corp., and Pangpang Farmers Agriculture Cooperative from Region 5.
Coconut companies from Region 7 such as Adorno '72 Home Decors, Almar Jewelry Manufacturing, Art 'N Nature Mfg. Corp., Cebu Philcrafttraders, Inc., and Hannah's Handicraft will also be featured. Lolo Bobby Handicrafts, and RDR Wood and Shell Crafts from Region 8; as well as Angie Handicrafts, Che Aranjuez, and Eric Handy Crafts from Region 11 are also exhibitors.
Out of the 25 exhibitors, “21 are already exporting and four are already export-ready,” Sykimte said.
Those four export-ready exhibitors include Bicolandia Organic Coco Farmers Agriculture Cooperative; Biday's Bagol Handicrafts; First Coco Craze Coconut Products Trading; and RDR Wood and Shell Crafts.
Manila FAME is the Philippines’ premier trade show, renowned for showcasing quality home, fashion, and lifestyle products. Since its inception in 1983, it has been a platform for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and artisan communities in the Philippines.
Manila FAME, a global event, supports Filipino enterprises through capacity-building, international design collaboration, and networking.
This year's theme, "Feel what's possible," showcases Filipinos' adaptable culture, focusing on unique products tailored to buyer preferences.
In addition to the physical exhibition, this year's Manila FAME will offer a seamless "online-offline-online" experience. Participating exhibitors will have the opportunity to engage in an online show through the fameplus.com digital platform.