Mandaluyong city: Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Eastern Visayas are targeting at least PHP43 million in sales during a five-day trade fair in Metro Manila later this week. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced that the Bahandi Eastern Visayas Trade Fair will take place at SM Megamall from October 9 to 13, providing local producers an opportunity to connect with institutional buyers from Metro Manila and other regions.

According to Philippines News Agency, at least 141 MSMEs from Eastern Visayas' six provinces, along with six creative visual artists, will participate in this annual trade fair held in Metro Manila. DTI Eastern Visayas Director Celerina Bato highlighted the significance of this event, noting its 25-year history and expressing optimism about reaching the sales target due to extensive promotion efforts by both the DTI and producers.

Bato mentioned that sales in Metro Manila trade fairs have historically been 10 times higher compared to local fairs. The PHP43-million sales target for this year is slightly lower than the PHP48 million achieved by 158 exhibitors in 2024, attributed to the reduced number of participants. The exhibitors this year include 34 from Leyte province, 33 from Northern Samar, 29 from Samar, 17 from Biliran, 16 from Eastern Samar, and 12 from Southern Leyte.

The fair will showcase a variety of products, including coconut wine, peanut butter, carabao milk, ginger tea, chocolate, banana chips, and traditional treats like moron and binagol. Additionally, aquamarine products, wearables, housewares, native bags, and handicrafts will be on display.

Bato emphasized the resilience and growth of MSMEs in Region 8 since the Bahandi Trade Fair's inception in 1998. This year's event is supported by various organizations, including SM Megatrade Hall, the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan, and the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, among others.