The Rural Agro-Enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project is extending its support for the upcoming 2022 Hybrid National Trade Fair happening 16-20 November at the Megatrade Halls at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

The RAPID Growth Project aims to expand economic opportunities in agriculture and industry by promoting agri-entrepreneurship in rural areas; expanding access to markets; and providing access to innovative financing, technology, and production networks. These objectives align with the "Go Green! Go Local!" theme of the upcoming 2022 Hybrid National Trade Fair and its emphasis on sustainable and eco-friendly products with bamboo as the centerpiece.

Twenty HNTF exhibitors from the Visayas and Mindanao are beneficiaries of the RAPID Growth Project.

The five-day event will feature agri-based enterprises from the country's 16 regions, including a rich selection of indigenous products and raw materials, handcrafted and handwoven products, furniture and home decor made from sustainable materials, unique and eco-friendly packaging materials, as well as health and wellness products. There will also be fresh produce, processed food and beverages, and native delicacies.

A Sustainability Pavilion will spotlight the highly-versatile bamboo, dubbed as the bio-steel of the future. The Philippines is the sixth largest bamboo exporter worldwide, and the bamboo industry is one of the priority industry clusters for assistance by the DTI. Bamboo has immense market potential as an eco-friendly and sustainable material for use in architectural design and construction works, as well as furniture and handicraft, farm and fishing implements, food, musical instruments, pulp and paper, and even fuel for cooking and heating.

Concurrent with the physical event, Lazada will be hosting the online National Trade Fair on its e-commerce platform, so consumers can support the MSMEs and place their orders from the comfort of their homes. At the same time, the exhibitors will also be featured in the SISIDLAN digital catalog, giving full access to their product lineup, digital stores, social medial links, and contact information.

The 2022 Hybrid National Trade Fair is organized by the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion in partnership with the DTI Regional Operations Group, the Design Center of the Philippines, the National Bamboo Industry Cluster, and the RAPID Growth Project.