Biggest Central Luzon Trade Fair opens in Metro Manila

The best products of Central Luzon are now on sale in Metro Manila, as the Likha ng Central Luzon opened on October 11, 2017. Secretary Ramon M. Lopez of the Department of Trade and Industry and Tarlac Governor Susan A. Yap led the opening ceremonies held at the Trade Hall of the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. The fair will run from October 11 to 15.

Officials in attendance during the opening program were Vice Governor Angel Magsaysay of Zambales, Peñaranda Mayor Ferdinand Abesamis, DTI Assistant Secretaries Blesila Lantayona, Demphna Naga and Ernesto Perez. Philexport-3 President Joseph Torres gave the opening message and expressed the support of the export sector to the growth of the small enterprise sector in the region. Governor Yap, as concurrent President of the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation Inc. noted that the trade fair in Metro Manila provides a lot of opportunities for exposure for the quality products from the seven provinces of the region.

Secretary Ramon Lopez said that the present administration aims for inclusive growth by providing support to the micro small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector and enable them to have opportunities for growth and sell not only locally but also participate in the global market. He noted that Central Luzon is a growth region and has many quality products which can be developed and sold locally and globally. He also invited the participants to share in the advocacy of DTI in supporting the growth of others and enabling the development of entrepreneurship by patronizing our small businesses.

On its 19th year, more than 150 seller exhibitors joined the Likha ng Central Luzon Trade Fair 2017. Pampanga has the most sellers with 47, Bulacan has 35, Nueva Ecija has 21, Tarlac has 16, Bataan has 13, Zambales has 11 while Aurora has 13 MSME participants. The fair is expected to generate around Php 35 Million in sales.

A special setting at the entrance of the fair displayed the newest prototypes developed by selected MSMEs of the region who underwent product design development sessions under the One Town One Product Next Generation project, an MSME assistance project where the product of MSMEs were subject to thorough design and labeling enhancements by design experts.

The fair was organized by DTI Region 3 with assistance from the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Regional Development Council III and the Philippine Exporters Foundation 3.