TARLAC CITY (PIA) -- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) classifies product sustainability of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) among its top priorities.
 
Product sustainability occurs through continuous product development depending on the trends and needs of the consumers.
 
In her message during Friday’s launching of the Tarlac Trade Fair at SM Tarlac, DTI Regional Director Leonila Baluyut stressed that one way to achieve this is conducting activities such as trade fairs showcasing locally made products.
 
“Product development is a vital component for this trade fair because we at DTI would like to emphasize on sustainability which means being in the market for a long time since the products 10 years or 5 years back may be different from what the consumers want today,” Baluyut said.
 
With this, she lauded Tarlac products which have evolved over time, keeping with the latest trends which are popular among consumers.
 
Apart from trade fairs, Baluyut cited some of her agency’s initiatives on MSME Development.
 
“DTI has many packages meaning technical assistance for you like loan brokering especially those coming from the tourism and allied tourism MSMEs selling pasalubong items through our Small Business Corporation,” she said.
 
These loans are with zero percent interest with a minimum of one year and maximum of two years depending on the qualification of MSMEs.
 
Capacity building for organizational development and skills development involving digital technology are also among DTI’s programs.
 
Baluyut encouraged MSMEs to venture into hybrid types of services.
 
“This is the perfect time to do hybrid services, a combination of physical and online type of service to further reach your target market,” she said.
 
Finally, Baluyut thanked all participating MSMEs, provincial government of Tarlac, academe partners, and the private sector for making the event possible.
 
“May this trade fair pave the way for you to increase not only your cash sales but your booked and negotiated sales for you to establish long term buyers,” she concluded. (CLJD/GLSB-PIA 3)