CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Region 10 launched on Friday, August 18, this year’s Kahimunan Northern Mindanao Regional Trade Fair, one of the core activities of the month-long Higalaay Festival 2023 in this city.
Almer Masillones, provincial director of DTI-Misamis Oriental, said this year’s trade fair is bigger, with over 50 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the region participating in the event showcasing locally produced products.
OFFICIALS from the government and business sectors ose after the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the Kahimunan Northern Mindanao Regional Trade Fair 2023 launching at SM Cagayan de Oro City Uptown on Friday, August 18. (Franck Dick Rosete)
"More exhibitors this time and more new products we are showcasing. We’re happy that all five provinces are still represented, and this time will be 12 days," Masillones said in a mix of English and vernacular in an interview after the launching.
According to DTI-10, Kahimunan 2023, which is being conducted in one of the prominent shopping malls in Uptown in this city, will showcase "excellence, novelty, ingenuity, and creativity, with a special highlight on product champions and world-class creations."
Among the featured events for this year’s trade fair are the Camiguin Provincial Day on August 19, the Misamis Occidental Provincial Day on August 23, the Lanao del Norte Provincial Day on August 24, the Bukidnon Provincial Day on August 25, the Coffee Cluster Activity on August 26, the Misamis Oriental Provincial Day on August 27, and the 7Cs Agribusiness Forum with Orochamber.
Various local products can be seen at the trade fair, such as coffee, cacao, wearables and home styles, processed fruits and nuts, snack foods, processed food, condiments, and seasonings.
RUBEN Verafria, regional director of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), answers questions from the media during the Kahimunan Northern Mindanao Regional Trade Fair 2023 launching at SM Cagayan de Oro City Uptown on Friday, August 18. (Franck Dick Rosete)
Ruben Verafria, regional director of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), said the trade fair is one of the venues provided to help the MSMEs, stressing the need to help them as they are the backbone of the Philippine economy.
"In our country, the MSMEs comprise around 99.6 percent. You should think about how big the MSMEs are. So, we need to support them. One way of supporting them is hosting this exhibit for them to have a venue to show their products," Verafria said.
The PCCI, Verafria said, will also hold the exhibit in Manila on October 5, where local products of the region will be displayed. He said if the other stores had better sales at this year’s trade fair, they might be able to join the event in Manila.
Verafria urged the public to visit the venue and support the MSMEs so they could expand their businesses and help the economy.
Kahimunan is an annual celebration that pays tribute to the region’s rich cultural heritage and bountiful harvest.
THE Lampakanay Weavers Association arranges their handicraft products during the Kahimunan Northern Mindanao Regional Trade Fair 2023 at SM Cagayan de Oro City Uptown on Friday, August 18. (Franck Dick Rosete)