DTI intensifies product development interventions
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation Inc. (MTEFI) have launched a series of product development activities in Davao Region to upskill local crafters and maximize available raw materials.
DTI Region 11 collaborated with the MTEFI design team to develop innovative and functional designs to cater to the diverse tastes of buyers.
MTEFI design team, including TADECO Home Sales and Marketing Manager Juvenal Fernandez, Yvette’s Bags and Beads Collection owner and founder Yvette Marie Punzalan, NIÑOFRANCO CEO Wilson Limon Jr., and Emi L. Englis of Davao Fashion Design Council, gathered local crafters and entrepreneurs in product development sessions.
The sessions include the assessment of the raw materials available in the locality and the development of new products which were showcased in trade shows.
DTI 11 Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi revealed that part of these product development activities are skills upgrading interventions for the local artisans in the region.
“These are aimed at enhancing the quality of their output while increasing their production capacity. Ultimately, as a result of these interventions, our local crafters and entrepreneurs can increase their sales and income,” Ambi said.
The MTEFI design team members conducted one-on-one consultations to guide and give personalized input not only in product design but also in pricing and costing of their existing products.
In addition, the designers provided technical knowledge on design trends that will make the participants’ products more viable both in the domestic and international markets.
The series of product development activities are under the DTI 11’s One Town, One Product (OTOP) Next Gen Program for the wearables and homestyle sector, particularly in the sub-sectors of apparel, fashion accessories, and housewares.
A total of 121 prototypes have already been developed from June to September of this year. At the same time, 30 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) were assisted throughout Davao Region.
These product development activities prepared participating MSMEs for the special showcase during the Mindanao Trade Expo 2023 Goes to Glorietta event in Metro Manila last Oct. 25 to 29.
This year, DTI 11 aims to conduct 12 product development sessions, higher by 50 percent compared with the 2022 target.
Ambi said that the DTI is committed to providing the most necessary and critical interventions to prepare local enterprises for wider and more markets.