Nation-Building Through Trade where 250 MSMEs from across the country showcased proudly-made Filipino products during the DTI National Trade Fair at SM Megamall. From left to right: DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and DTI Secretary Cristina Roque.
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More than 250 Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao gathered at SM Megamall from 23 to 27 July for the 2025 DTI National Trade Fair, a five-day showcase of innovation, craftsmanship, and regional pride.
Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the event transformed Megatrade Halls 1 to 3 into a bustling venue where regional brands met consumers, institutional buyers, and business partners.
SM Supermalls, the fair’s venue partner, provided more than just physical space. Through its “SM for MSMEs” program, the retail giant supported entrepreneurs with on-ground assistance, mall-wide promotions, and digital integration.
“SM Supermalls is the marketplace of choice for Filipino entrepreneurs,” the company said in a statement. “We are committed to giving MSMEs the space, tools, and support to thrive.”
This year’s edition featured a wide array of themes and pavilions — including the KAPEtirya Philippine Coffee Pavilion, a Sustainability Corner, and product clusters dedicated to wellness, crafts, fashion, and gourmet finds.
Each exhibit showcased Filipino creativity in full form, from embroidered shoes and baro’t saya-inspired streetwear to export-ready coffee, chocolate, and handcrafted décor.
Among the fair’s standout participants was Donna Sarmiento Camaya, a nurse, educator, and cancer survivor, who exhibited vibrant acrylic tissue artworks — she is currently the only registered artist of her kind in the Philippines.
Visitors were treated not only to retail displays but also to live cooking demos, cultural performances, and business-matching sessions that equipped MSMEs with tools to scale up.
Preliminary feedback from participants indicated strong sales and promising leads. Several MSMEs are now eyeing bulk orders and export deals. While final figures are still being consolidated, the 2024 edition of the fair generated nearly P70 million in sales, and organizers said this year’s turnout may have surpassed that.
The fair served as a platform for MSMEs to transform casual mallgoers into customers. It also reaffirmed the public-private partnership between the DTI and SM in promoting entrepreneurship.
“Our partnership with the DTI stems from a shared mission—to uplift Filipino entrepreneurs and help build self-reliant communities,” SM Supermalls said.
Through efforts such as the DTI National Trade Fair, SM Supermalls continues to support the growth of MSMEs across its 88 malls nationwide — offering them not just exposure, but opportunities to evolve into thriving businesses.
