Davao de Oro’s trade fair rakes in P119K in sales 

NABUNTURAN, Davao de Oro – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here, together with the Provincial Administrator’s Office-Investment Division of Davao de Oro, has successfully conducted the two-day product showcase from August 8 to 9 as part of the provincial MSME Week celebration. 

Although given only two days to display, the 40 participating micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) garnered a combined total sales of Php119,430. They raked in Php71,320 on the first day and Php48,310 on the second day.  

DTI-Davao de Oro provincial director lawyer Lucky Siegfred M. Balleque attributed the successful conduct of the event to the exhibitors who made sure that their products are competitive enough before reaching their buyers. 

“We have been providing product development training and other relevant interventions to our local entrepreneurs. This is our way of preparing them for the market. And we’re glad that they really attend and consider our recommendations,” the local trade office said. 

Balleque emphasized that his delight was not merely about the sales but more on the success of the product showcase, which is a vehicle for promotion. He added that this is a venue to encourage consumers to buy and patronize local brands.  

“I am happy because a lot of new products were introduced during the product showcase which enticed different consumers to visit the capitol where the venue was and flock to the booths. More than that, I am thankful to Davao de Oro Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga for helping us with the promotions and for being the face of the 2022 MSME Week,” he said. 

“Gov. Gonzaga’s special appearance during the OTOP live selling featuring the different products displayed during the product showcase was a huge help in promoting the event and the products sold there. In fact, Gov. Gonzaga’s support was more than just promotion. She also bought a lot of different products from the exhibitors,” the provincial trade chief continued. 

While giving a message of support during the two-day event’s opening ceremony, the governor was glad that such a product showcase was done since it was able to highlight different products by local MSMEs. According to her, she was astonished when she found out that the products she tried from DTI-Davao de Oro are all produced by the MSMEs in the province and are available locally. She, therefore, urged the Davaoeños in the province to patronize local products in support of the MSMEs, while guaranteeing them of their quality as she uses and buys these herself. 

Based on the latest accomplishment report of DTI-Davao de Oro, the office has already conducted and participated in 5 trade fairs and helped a total of 40 MSMEs.  

Seven trade fairs are still expected to be made until the end of 2022. For this year, DTI-Davao de Oro is targeting to assist 10 more MSMEs.PR