DAVAO CITY — Last week’s Pinoy MSME Expo — one of the highlights of the city’s annual celebration for micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises — focused on start-up ventures, giving greenhorn entrepreneurs an experience on joining trade fairs.
“We have around 30 participants but we focused on start-ups. Now they get trained for future shows, then they can attend. Half of our exhibitors are start-ups with businesses on food and handicrafts,” said Engr. Edwin O. Banquerigo, Department of Trade and Industry-Davao (DTI-11) assistant regional director, in an interview on the sidelines of the expo held at the Ayala Abreeza Mall.
Most of these new business, he added, were assisted through the Negosyo Centers, the DTI-led one-stop shops for MSMEs.
Mr. Banquerigo said the participating enterprises have products, mainly food and handicraft, that have the potential to be “scaled up”.
Among these are A’s and R’s siomai and longganisa; Lamee Ann Ice Cream Candy; Santander’s Creamy Ice Cream; Momma’s PMP dark chocolate spread and banana chips; ABJ Herbs, Spices and Condiments; GV Solutions’ coffee bags; Calixto Adanza Souvenir Items; MACOEMADDACI’s Nasabeka ethnic baskets, tribal wear, and fashion accessories; and Teles Lamps, which uses cacao leaves.
The MSME Week in Davao City, established through a city proclamation in 2012, is celebrated every second week of July. The event was supported by the Davao City MSME Development Council through the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.
“Later this year, we will have another program to help them,” Mr. Banquerigo said. — Maya M. Padillo

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR