DAVAO CITY – The 150 exhibitors of the seven-day Mindanao Trade Expo (MTE) 2024 Kadayawan Festival here hope to reach the target of P12 million in sales.
The MTE 2024 opened last August 11 at the Activity Center of the Abreeza Mall and will culminate on August 17.
Eunice Flores, trade and industry development specialist of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Davao, said expo with the theme “Empowering the future of MSMEs: Connecting, Cultivating, Commerce,” features various homegrown micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
She said that the expo attracted several tourists, helping promote the products of the MSMEs, including arts and crafts, home decors and housewares, furniture and furnishings, fashion accessories, and textiles, beauty, and wellness, fresh and processed food, and tourist destinations.
“The MTE 2024 Kadayawan aims to promote our local products, especially products produced by MSMEs that are not yet available in supermarkets. This will be their platform to showcase their products,” she said.
The Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation Inc. (MTEFI) organized the expo in partnership with the DTI, Department of Agriculture (DA), the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PhilExport), and Ayala Malls Abreeza.
The DTI-Davao said the event serves as a platform to showcase the ingenuity of local artisans and the potential of the local products of Mindanao.
It highlights the unique raw materials available in the Davao region and the diverse livelihood of various communities.
“MTE 2024 highlights the crucial significance of MSMEs by facilitating greater market accessibility. It encourages innovation and product development as essential elements for fostering sustainable competitiveness, with the ultimate aim of ensuring long-term success for these enterprises,” it added.
The expo also aims to empower MSMEs, improve their sales, and reinforce digital transformation of enterprises.