TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Dec. 2 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bohol breached its P700,000 sales target and surpassed expectations with 55 exhibitors from 30 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) joining the third blended “Holiday Market and Crafts Fair."

The event was held at the Activity Center of the Island City mall from Nov. 21-27, 2021.

The 55 exhibitors from 21 local government units brought in Christmas decors, gifts and housewares, fashion accessories and processed food to the six-day fair which tried to build on the successes of two previous blended pop-up exhibits.

This year, DTI Bohol put up Mugna’ng Bol-anon PopUp Exhibit in July and Bamboo PopUp Exhibit in September, both of which are blended trade shows, which yielded positive results and feedback not only from consumers but also from the exhibitors.

This prompted DTI Bohol to mount another trade show in November, dubbed as “Holiday Market and Craft Fair,” where DTI can help its assisted MSMEs rebound and recover from the impact of COVID-19 on their operations.

DTI sees that MSMEs need all the support they can get to bring their operations close to normal, and make more meaningful sales which they hope to generate through virtual marketplaces, physical trade shows, and bazaars, said DTI Bohol Director Maria Soledad Balistoy.

The holiday market was highlighted by the conduct of product development for participating Bohol MSMEs.

The product development program started in September and the final prototypes were collected for the exhibits, added DTI SME Development Division Chief Vierna Teresa Ligan.

The fair, also called by many as Christmas in November, aims to strengthen MSME support by allowing businesses to showcase their goods, disperse knowledge and establish business linkages with customers and the market and offer them the opportunity to reach new customers. 

"While doing this, we are able to offer MSMEs a venue to market to customers and then sell their products, while we at DTI could mount the six-day November Bazaar," Ligan said.

With strict observance of health and safety protocols, the fair initially targeted 30 exhibitors from all DTI-assisted MSMEs through its Shared Service Facility Program, Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Support, SME Roving Academy, and Negosyo Center projects.

The turnout, however, was more than expected as 55 exhibitors showed up. 

As to sales, from P700,000 initial target as proposed, the fair has already posted P2.1 million in booked and physical sales as of the closing of the sales books on Day 6. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)