DTI takes Bicolandia creations in Japan expo

By Sally Atento-Altea

LEGAZPI CITY --- In an earnest display of Filipino craftsmanship, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) brought and showcased Bicol region’s finest creations at the 19th Lifestyle Week Expo in Tokyo, Japan.

Globally recognized as a premier trade fair showcasing various lifestyle goods, including homeware, fashion, food, and baby goods, the expo also serves as a platform for sourcing products from different countries and fostering partnerships with sellers and manufacturers.

According to DTI Regional Director Dindo Nabol, all 15 participating micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the international fair were rigorously trained, prepared, and capacitated to meet the demands of the global market.

“Exhibitors were chosen based on their capabilities or capacities to supply the Japanese and other markets and their compliance to pre-fair training like product development and capacity building to execute the prototype as provided by the designers,” Nabol said.

Citing the leverage that the Philippines has been getting from international expos, Nabol said that the exposure of MSMEs in the Japan expo gives the Filipino craftsmen the chance to showcase local products and engage with potential markets.

“In an exhibition like this, we don’t target actual sales but more on negotiations and product inquiries, sales to come later. Japanese buyers would not decide right away. Post-fair negotiations and follow-ups would cement the transaction,” he added.

Transactions are then formalized through purchase orders, with some MSMEs already securing orders from visiting Japanese buyers during the event.

“In our case, there are orders made especially for existing Japanese buyers who visit our booth. Our MSMEs find this as a good platform. The entire day, we received many inquiries,” Nabol averred.

The premium export-quality pieces featured at the expo are meticulously crafted from indigenous materials such as Abaca, coconut, pili, and other local resources found across the Bicol region.

The diverse collections showcased at the expo represent MSMEs from the region’s five provinces, including eight from Albay, three from Camarines Sur, three from Catanduanes, and one from Masbate.

According to Nabol, the engagement with new international buyers is expected to drive export sales and contribute to employment and supplementary income, benefiting the MSMEs and the local communities.

“With new and additional buyers, it can result in more sales and ultimately provide additional income to workers and even generate more employment to the local community,” he added. (PIA5/Albay)