Philippines Mindanao Tradesmen Acquire P628-M Investments, Sales In Trade Exhibition

October 8th, 2009

Entrepreneurs from various parts of Philippines Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao generated some P628 million in sales and committed investments during the 18th Mindanao Business Conference (Minbizcon) trade and tourism exposition here.

Dorecita Delima, assistant regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 12, affirmed Friday that the recorded earnings and investment were based on the trade and investment agreements and actual sales receipts generated by the 50 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that joined the week-long expo at the FitMart Mall here.

The trade and tourism expo, which coincided with the 1st South Cotabato Business Week, was among the sidelights of the new Minbizcon that gathered more than 700 foreign and local business stakeholders here.

Delima said the 45 MSMEs that took part in the products and services showcase posted a combined income of some P26.48 million, surpassing by almost two-folds their initial sales target of P10 million.

“This is proof that our products and services have been really improving in terms of quality and already started to establish their niche in various markets,” she noted.

Delima said among the expo’s top sellers were high quality products and services from the region that were developed under the national government’s flagship One Town, One Product (OTOP) program.

Among the products that were displayed during the fair was the famed T’nalak fabric of Lake Sebu town in South Cotabato, the tuna value-added products of General Santos City and the processed fruits of Tupi, South Cotabato.

Aside from the recorded sales, Delima said five MSMEs representing the five emerging investment areas in the region received trade and investment commitments worth P601.52 million during the market-matching sessions systemized by the DTI.

She said they were able to facilitate the signing of memorandum of commitment between local producers and buyers for cardava banana, barako coffee, moringa or malunggay and fresh water shrimp or ulang.

For cardava banana, she said a producer of banana chips based in Magpet, North Cotabato committed to a supply contract worth P54 million or equivalent to at least 1,000 hectares of plantation.

Delima said Biotech firm Secura Philippines International, which has been promoting the development of the moringa industry, signed a production and supply agreement worth P139.75 million covering some 2,495 hectares of moringa or malunggay.

She said General Santos City-based exporter SCAMPI Fresh created a supply arrangement for ulang or freshwater shrimp worth P12.77 million or equivalent to 39.09 hectares while the Philippine Coffee Board committed some P368 million worth of investments for a production and supply arrangement for barako coffee covering 4,000 hectares.

Delima added that negotiations also started for a hotel development project worth P30 million that will cater to the area’s growing ecotourism industry. PNA/AVE

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