ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews / 8 Oct) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has set a target of P50 million in total sales to be generated in the four-day Zamboanga Peninsula Trade Exposition (Zampex) 2014 in this city.
Dr. Sitti Amina Jain, OIC regional director of DTI-9, made the announcement during Wednesday’s opening of Zampex 2014. The fair seeks to promote the best products of the Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the region and link them to prospective buyers to generate sales.
Jain said they have invited 10 institutional buyers from Manila. Seven of the 10 are already here while the rest are expected to arrive anytime.
Jain said the four-day event, which ends on Saturday, Oct. 11, also intends to highlight the huge opportunities the region can offer and achieve recognition as a lucrative investment destination.
“The amount of sales is just among the quantitative indicators of the success of Zampex. What we hope to achieve more is the recognition of the region as a lucrative investment destination,” Jain said.
There are 96 exhibitors participating in the Zampex 2014 which Jain said are predominantly process food products with 46 exhibitors.
A total of 87 of the 96 exhibitors are from Region IX. One is from Region 4A and another from Caraga while the rest are from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
“You are our heroes because you are the ones who really create the jobs that we need,” Zenaida Maglaya, DTI Undersecretary for Consumer Welfare and Trade Regulation Group, said of the MSMEs.
Maglaya is the guest speaker of Zampex 2014.
She said there is a clear collaboration between the different government agencies here as she noted Zampex is full of activities that include training programs and cultural presentation aside from exhibit of products.
“Zampex showcases not just very beautiful products but also showcases the collaboration between and among government agencies and the private sector,” she added.
Jain said Zampex includes four other important events – garden show sponsored by the city government; techno and cooking demo by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) and Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST); forum on ASEAN economic integration with focus on agriculture by the Department of Agriculture; and franchising seminar by the DTI and Philippine Franchising Association.