THE Davao Region reaped P3,499,539.60 in sales during the recently held National Trade Fair (NTF) held in Manila last month, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11 reported.
Of the said figure, P440, 235.30 accounted for cash sales; P781, 594.20 for bookings; and P2,277,710.10 for under-negotiation transactions.
Region XI ranked 5th overall out of the 17 regions which joined the NTF 2007, based on total sales performance of P3.5 million.
This years achievement of Davao Region in the NTF is 67 percent higher as compared to last years sales of P1,153,672.00.
Twelve small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the region joined the NTF. These are the G&V virgin coconut oil of Davao Orient; Almendras District Cooperative, Kilolog Multi-Purpose Farmers Cooperative, SR Mango Processors Cooperative, and Elishas Food Products of Davao del Sur; BS Inn, Nenengs Durian Candies, Fruitworld Philippines, Inc., and Food Processors Association of Davao (Fpad) of Davao City; Silagan Handicrafts of Davao del Norte; King Real Laundry Manufacturing and Cocolife Cooperative of Compostella Valley Province.
Trade Assistant Secretary Merly M. Cruz said among the major factors of the improved sales are the increased number of participants and improved products.
It can be noted that as of last year, only three SMEs were able to make it to the NTF but last March, we were able to send 12. Therefore, a lot of our SMEs here already qualified with the requirements set by the NTF organizers. The constant nurturing that weve been doing to our SMEs is one reason why we were able to win their interest to join trade fairs, she said.
The NTF 2007 was spearheaded by CITEM, in cooperation with the other agencies of DTI, such as the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprises Development (BSMED), Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines (PDDCP), Bureau of Domestic Trade (BDT), Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), and the DTI Regional Operations Group.
Cruz is optimistic DTI 11 can surpass this years accomplishment come NTF 2008. (DTI-PIA XI)
