Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque recently unveiled the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) SME (small and medium enterprises) Showroom in Seoul, South Korea, a flagship project of the DTI chief under the DTI-Competitiveness and Innovation Group’s Malikhaing Pinoy program, which champions Filipino creativity and innovation on the global stage.

Unveiled on 14 May at the PDOT Showroom at the President Hotel, the showroom establishes a vital platform for showcasing export-ready products and fostering international business partnerships for small and medium enterprises.

“This launch is a concrete step towards bringing Filipino products and small and medium enterprises closer to the global market. It is a message to the world that the Philippines is ready, our enterprises are capable, and our products deserve a place on the global stage,” Roque underscored.

“By providing this physical presence overseas, we break through geographical barriers for our SMEs and build the trust that international buyers seek. We are making it easier for the world to do business with the Philippines — one city, one showroom, one export deal at a time,” the trade chief added.

Further, the showroom features a carefully curated and rotating selection of high-quality, export-ready products across the Philippines. This initiative highlights Filipino entrepreneurs’ creativity, craftsmanship, and capability with products ranging from handmade textiles and crafts to innovative food products and beverages.

Spearheading the launch with Ambassador Maria Theresa Dizon-de Vega, commercial counsellor Charmaine Mignon Yalong, and tourism attaché Erwin Balane, Korean partners and business leaders, Roque also expressed her gratitude to the DTI-Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Seoul for conceptualizing the project, as well as the Philippine Department of Tourism in Korea and the Philippine Embassy for providing showroom space and logistical support, respectively.