TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Cordillera office of the Department of trade and Industry (DTI-CAR) encouraged the public to shop local by purchasing quality products from talented entrepreneurs as every sale makes a big difference in terms of the capacity to generate substantial income.
In her message during the successive opening of the city’s Pantawid and Kadiwa product fairs which were part of the celebration of the 74th Tabuk founding anniversary, 23rd Matagoan festival and 17th cityhood anniversary, DTI-CAR regional director Juliet Lucas also reminded the public to spread the word so that more individuals will know about the exceptional craftsmanship found right in the city.
The DTI-CAR pointed out that it is also important for people to connect by networking with fellow visitors for them to be friends and eventually explore potential collaborations as their next business partner may just be a conversation away.
According to him, it is but proper for the people to appreciate the hard work, creativity and resilience that go into each product on display, thus more entrepreneurs should actively participate in future similar events as the DTI remains committed to assisting them and their product development needs.
Lucas expressed her gratitude to the local government under the leadership of Mayor Darwin C. Estran͂ero for the establishment of the beautiful Negosyo Center which also serves as a learning center, the put up of the newly opened Pasalubong Center in Talaca which will also serve as a food terminal that will be known as an outlet for flagship products with a digital system to make the operator negotiate with buyers within and outside the city.
According to her, the DTI is talking with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under its SPEED program which will be beneficial to the entrepreneurs of Tabuk once the roll out of the program will be done in the city being one of the emerging centers of trade and commerce in the region.
She recognized that the annual Pantawid trade fair has become a significant platform for showcasing the ingenuity, craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit of the people from the city.
Last year, the top selling sectors during the same trade fair that recorded the highest sales with over 60 exhibitors were furniture, handicrafts, wearables, and processed foods which defines the type of the local economy.
She asserted that products could be manufactured goods, fresh produce and creatives to be inclusive in the showcase, thus, the mindset should be innovation, continuous development to match and serve the market requirements and to bring the city to the rest of the world.
Lucas pointed out that it is about identifying a flagship product to service that will upscale the local economy with value adding that is more in-bound as consumers and visitors play a crucial role in supporting the local businesses and that the mindset should be trust, pride and loyalty.
According to her, it is the only way for everyone to contribute to the local economy, thus, people should learn to explore and engage with exhibitors for them to be able to discover the hidden gems that wait both residents and visitors alike, whether its handwoven textile, a unique piece of pottery or a delicious artisanal coffee blend, their patronage directly contributes to the growth of the community. By Dexter A. See