TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, July 26 (PIA) -- The 2023 Sandugo Trade Expo initiated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) which closed after five days of selling reached 157% over its target sales, including those under negotiations.
This a boost for Bohol’s micro-small medium enterprises during the trade fair, which also presented to a Boholano furniture manufacturer the honor to be hailed as best in sales with over P5M.
Suyman Furniture Shop racked in P5,066,950 in sales, their world-class furniture done in superb carpentry skills, now pinning Bohol in the international map for furniture makers.
Set up by the DTI in Bohol as a post-pandemic venue for local handicraft manufacturers and food processors including exhibitors from across the country’s 25 provinces to showcase their best products, the 2023 Sandugo Trade Expo picked up from where it left off three years ago after it has to be discontinued due to the risks of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Starting off as a five-booth exhibit in the late 80s, then Sandugo Provincial Products Showcase soon presented the best of the best locally made products in Bohol to the region when it opened as a regional products fair.
This also afforded local manufacturers and craftsmen a venue to showcase their handcrafted products enhanced by the DTI’s products development and design training.
This also gave domestic and international buyers the chance to see the emerging trends in home furnishings, home decors, wearables, furniture, bags, baskets, gift items and toys, wellness products, and processed food.
Since its inception, the Sandugo Trade Expo has consistently carved its own niche in leading the trends in design and engaging sales and marketing matches, thereby attracting other buyers from the domestic and international markets.
According to the DTI in Bohol, their biggest record was when the trade expo sales reported P41M in cash and booked sales on the year before the crafts showcase had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now picking up what it left three years ago, DTI offered the management of the expo to Island City Mall, as it hoped to rack in P15M in target sales.
Four days into the trade expo, DTI Bohol Officer in Charge Vierna Teresa Ligan has already reported cash sales of P15,051,553.29, with booked sales also reaching P7,199,784.
As of 10:00 p.m. of July 23, 2023, the DTI has also gathered reports of P4,241,347 potential sales as these are still under manufacturer-buyer negotiations.
Aside from Suyman Furniture Shop, the inlaid art of Negros Oriental Arts and Heritage was another hot selling item under the Gifts, Decors and Fashion, with P2,487,50 in sales after the five-day expo.
As to processed food, Davao Region Coconut Farmers Industry Development Program exhibitors went home with P812,198 in sales, and probably more under negotiations.
For this year’s most innovative product, it went to Mamasdamideli Empresas of Romblon, featuring mortar and pestle with holder.
This year’s green product award also went to Palawan’s Palawentas Native Handicrafts with their seed man. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)