LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte, Nov. 25 (PNA) — Small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) from the four provinces of Region 1 look forward to displaying their goods in a one-stop shop or the so called Partuat ti Kailokuan trade fair and garden show held every year at the Ilocos Norte Capitol parking lot.
Regular customers including fascinated tourists would also stop by to choose from a wide selection of unique and best-selling goods and products of Ilocanos ranging from fresh and processed foods like longganiza, empanada, bagnet and native delicacies from Pangasinan, to abel fabrics, shell crafts, innovative home furniture including flowering and bonsai plants which make the Ilocos region known for across the globe.
Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry in cooperation with the Partuat ti Kailokuan Association, a local organization of SMEs backed by the provincial government of Ilocos Norte, this year’s trade fair which runs on November 20-28 continues to inspire SMEs to improve their goods and services and learn from each other’s business success.
Compared to previous years, the DTI has lauded a notable increase and improvement of SME’s world-class packaging of their quality products including innovative furniture designs and the application of hydroponics or the art of growing plants without soil.
Aside from the regular conduct of trade fairs to help SMEs promote their products, the DTI is also giving incentives and special wards to outstanding SMEs for their active participation in the activity.
The activity also aims to promote the One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) of the various local government units of the province.
The OTOP is a government-initiated program meant to assist local entrepreneurs and LGUs develop markets for their products and boost the local economy.
Aside from the many OTOPs of the province, there are other old and new products from other provinces of Region 1 and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) at the trade fair.
Some of these are the traditional puto and kutsinta from Calasiao, Pangasinan; wood carvings and furniture from the CAR and Vigan, Ilocos Sur; gift items, hand-crafted products and novelties; fashion accessories; ornamental and flowering plants and bonsai plants.(PNA)