Locally produced food products, clothing, jewelry, hand-crafted home and kitchen decorations, and even fresh and native fruits and vegetables took the spotlight during the 15th Summer Trade Fair of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Some 46 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) including some representatives from the indigenous peoples communities in the province joined the week-long trade fair from May 17 to 23.

Carmelita Abansan, owner of Cardom’s Winery, which came all the way from the IP town of Adams, showcased their array of native fruit-flavored wines.

She shares that in peak seasons, they sell up to about 200 bottles of wine, which she said is made possible through their good and continued partnership with DTI who helps promote their product.

“Malaking tulong itong mga tade fair ng DTI sa amin kasi nakilala talaga ang mga produkto namin at kahit na malayo ang Adams, at hindi makabisita ang mga turista doon, makakabili pa rin sila ng aming mga produkto,” she shares.

Their newest product they proudly showcased is their mini wine bottles, which are perfect as tokens for any occasions.

Cardoms Winery, is also a graduate of DTI’s Kapatid Mentor Me Program (KMME), a mentorship program which allows small business owners to take online or face-to-face mentorship courses in business marketing, production, and help identify the proper market for their products.

Amelia Galvez, acting Provincial Director of DTI Ilocos Norte, happily shared that most of the exhibitors are graduates of the KMME program, and some are currently enrolled in it.

“Ang main objective ng ating trade fair ay para matulungan ang mga small local businesses natin na makabenta ng kanilang produkto at para na rin ma-i-promote sila sa mainstream market. This is part of our Support Local, Buy Local movement para ma-push ang mga local products at tangkilikin ang mga ito at if possible in the long run, yung mga products na ready for export, mahanapan natin sila ng market abroad,” she said citing that the local products in Ilocos Norte have much potential because they are quality made.

Besides from selling their products, the trade fair also gave way for a craft demonstration on wood works, from Nathan Ortega, owner of Hand Craft N Creation, a small business selling hand crafted and personalized home decoration, kitchenware, and other wood works.

The wood works expert taught the participants to assemble their own storage box which they were able to customize with their names and other decorations.

Truly, these trade fairs help put local small businesses in the map for Ilocos Norte, and it continues to open more doors of business opportunities for them through the DTI.

As consumers, the DTI encourages Ilokanos to join in their movement to support and buy local, and a bonus to promote local.  (JCR/MJTAB/EJFG)