Bahandi exhibitors target P35M sales

Participation in trade fairs has also become a market test for micro, small and medium enterprises planning to expand their business. #Bahandi2019

Products from homestyles to processed food and wearables are showcased at Bahandi, a local term for “treasures.” (BCPC)

TACLOBAN CITY – Small and medium enterprises from six provinces in Eastern Visayas will get a crack at penetrating a wide market when they showcase their products in Bahandi 2019 trade fair on 3-7 October in SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

Celerina Bato, officer in charge regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry, said Thursday some 150 exhibitors will showcase a wide array of products from homestyles to processed food and wearables at Bahandi, a local term for “treasures.”

According to Bato, the yearly Bahandi trade fair has become a stepping stone for many local producers to become exporters. She said previous exhibitors were mat weavers, a shell handicraft producer, and a tikog manufacturer who are all directly exporting to other countries now.

Previous exhibitors of Bahandi have also been invited to big international trade exhibits like in Abiente, the biggest international trade exhibit in Frankfurt, Germany.

“Our goal is to find markets for our products,” she said. “Regular producers can reconnect with their buyers on one-on-one together with their new or improved products. The new producers can also meet buyers from Manila, the institutional buyers in Manila, as well as retailers,” according to Bato.

The trade fair targets to make gross sales of at least P35 million, which is higher than the P32 million actual sales generated last year.

“Last year we were able to invite participation of 134 exhibitors. And with more participating exhibitors this year, we expect to meet the target or even surpass it,” said Bato.

She added that participation in trade fairs has also become a market test for micro, small and medium enterprises planning to expand their business.

“This is like market testing for our products at the same time a marketing search for the producers, and a learning experience for the new ones,” she said.

She said many small manufacturers in Eastern Visayas are already making a good impression from the international buyers.