Manila: Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque expressed optimism that the around 300 participants in the six-day Tatak Pinoy Christmas Village trade fair, which opened Tuesday at the SM Megamall Trade Halls, will generate nearly PHP200 million in sales.
According to Philippines News Agency, Roque stated, "Wala pa kaming forecast (We don't have forecast) (sales) for this trade fair but we're hoping to reach hopefully almost PHP200-million mark because of the Christmas season." She highlighted the success of a recent Department of Trade and Industry-led trade show, which netted around PHP115 million in sales, demonstrating how such events bolster local businesses and create more opportunities both domestically and internationally.
Roque emphasized the high success rate of the participants, noting that around 80 percent of them are government compliant and ready for retail, wholesale, and even export transactions. She stressed the importance of exposure for businesses, particularly those from the provinces, to reach Metro Manila customers.
"We want to exhaust the 120 million Filipino market of the Philippines, that's why we are really putting up all of these trade shows," Roque added. She mentioned that December 23 marks the peak of the Christmas shopping season, as people prepare for the gift-giving period.
In her opening speech, Roque noted that the Department of Trade and Industry led 12 trade shows this year, up from five the previous year, to further support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Participation in these shows is free for business owners, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s goal to provide businesses with market access and expansion opportunities.
"Our goal is clear - we don't just want Filipino businesses to survive. We want them to scale. We want them to thrive. And we want them to succeed," she stated. MSMEs account for 99.5 percent of businesses in the Philippines, employ 60 percent of the workforce, and contribute about 40 percent to the gross domestic product.
Roque detailed various DTI programs designed to support MSMEs, including training, product packaging, branding, and preparing products for export. She also encouraged business owners to leverage online platforms for expanded operations and market access, while ensuring compliance with standards.
"The government is here again to assist you as best and as aggressive as we can. In the Bagong Pilipinas, we know that we are stronger when the public and private sectors work together," she concluded.
