Naga city: At least 41 local entrepreneurs from six provinces in the Bicol Region showcased their products during the opening of the Bicol Coconut Trade Fair organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Tuesday. The five-day fair will run until Aug. 23, with a sales target of PHP1.5 million.

According to Philippines News Agency, Victor Emmanuel Castro, chief of the DTI-5 business development division, highlighted that the fair aims not only to generate sales but also to help local entrepreneurs establish connections with institutional buyers for year-round orders. "We want them to establish connections with institutional buyers, which will ensure that they can receive orders for their products throughout the year," Castro said.

The trade fair exemplifies the culmination of various forms of assistance provided by the DTI to the entrepreneurs. Castro emphasized that their support includes skills development, product development, and enhancements in labeling. He further explained, "The trade fair is the ultimate test of these interventions, providing them an opportunity to sell their products and increase their income."

Products available at the fair include virgin coconut oil (VCO), VCO-based soap, coco coir, orchid hangers, coconut wine, coconut vinegar, coconut flour, coconut-based native delicacies, and accessories made from coconut. Edwin Ariya from the Simawa Farmers' Producers Cooperative expressed that the trade fair allows them to sell their products directly to buyers, enhancing their market presence.

Sofia Juserhine Bucad, division chief of the Philippine Coconut Authority, expressed gratitude to the DTI for its initiative in promoting the coconut industry in the region. She acknowledged the significant progress made in expanding the market reach of coconut products globally, attributing this advancement to the DTI's efforts in enhancing and broadening the market.