GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 15 Nov) – Region 12’s export-quality products and world-class tourist destinations will take the center stage anew in a five-day grand regional trade and tourism exposition that will formally open here on Wednesday.
Leonard Flores, chief of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Region 12’s industry development division, said they are all set for the 2016 Treasures of Soccsksargen fair, which is slated Nov. 16 to 20 at the events center of the SM mall here.
He said it will be a showcase of the region’s best products, services and tourist destinations, where visitors can book for exciting tours and buy leading products.
Thriving micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), tourism establishments, tour operators and other stakeholders from various parts of Region 12 are joining the fair, which is now on its third year, Flores said.
The region is composed of the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.
Flores said the event is a “regional market trending” for the area’s products, services and tourist destinations for the domestic and international markets.
“We’re showing to the rest of the world the bounty as well as unique treasures and attractions here in Region 12,” he said.
The official said the component events are the Regional Agri-Aqua-Trade Fair, Pavilion of SOX Destinations expo, Craft Emporium, S.U.P.E.R. Consumers showcase and the Treasures of SOX Trade and Travel Show.
He said they will unveil a special setting of local products for the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) market.
A forum on BIMP-EAGA, especially on doing business in Indonesia, and a range of trainings and seminars are also slated, he said.
Vanessa Pleña, DTI-12 information officer, said the event will be a chance for the region’s MSMEs to showcase their products.
She said they have prepared booths for at least 70 MSMEs that are participating in the Regional Agri-Aqua-Trade Fair.
It will feature a variety of products like processed fruit jams and jellies, sinamak vinegar, pinasugbo, banana and taro chips, processed tuna, native coffee, cacao tablea, and fruit juices like mangosteen, passion fruit, kalamansi and guyabano concentrate.
The product displays will include unique handicrafts made of bamboo, beads and brass as well as fashion accessories and other collectible items.
Flores said this year’s showcase will also be a “celebration of convergence” of government agencies and other stakeholders in Region 12.
Aside from DTI, which is the main organizer, the event is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Tourism, Technical Education Skills and Development Authority, and the region’s four provinces and five cities. (MindaNews)