MANILA, March 25 (PNA) — The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair targets a 10-percent sales growth this year from PhP16 million in 2014.
Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP) Director Rhodora Leaño made the projection during the opening of the Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair 2015 at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday.
She said the increase in sales is possible although fewer food producers are participating in the trade fair this year since DTI opted to be selective of the exhibitors, such as requiring the participants to have certificates from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“There are fewer exhibitors this year compared to last year, but the quality of products of our exhibitors are high,” DTI Undersecretary Ponciano C. Manalo Jr. told reporters at the same event.
Some 160 food producers nationwide are participating in DTI’s annual food fair this year that will run until March 29.
Manalo said the Sikat Pinoy Food Fair is also a preparation for the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines happening in Pasay City by May this year.
“We would like to prepare them for the IFEX this year where our local producers will be exposed to foreign participants also and, of course, to international buyers,” he said.
IFEX Philippines is Asia’s largest food and ingredients exhibition.
Meanwhile, aside from food, other products under the Sikat Pinoy branding are furniture, arts, fashion accessories, and handicrafts.
In 2014, the Sikat Pinoy national trade fairs for the five featured products generated a total revenue of PhP80 million.
A large percentage of sales were from furniture trade fair.
This year, the DTI will also set up trade fairs during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings to expose Philippine products to the international market. (PNA)