DTI-7 aims for P40-M sales in Bohol Sandugo Expo 2019

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Central Visayas is aiming to hit P40 million in sales in the upcoming three-day Sandugo Trade Expo next week in Tagbilaran City.

Regional Director Aster Caberte in a press conference Friday at the DTI-7 office  said their target is higher this year as more balikbayans are expected to arrive for the 2019 Sandugo Festival with the opening of the new Bohol-Panglao International Airport.

She said last year’s expo generated P33 million sales for 170 exhibitors.

“This year’s activity is dubbed ‘Beyond Expectations @ 32’ because our target last year was P32 million,” she said.

Caberte said around 200 exhibitors from Visayas, Mindanao and Luzon would participate in the event to be held from July 24-28 at the Island City Mall.

The exhibitors will include beneficiaries of the One Town One Product (OTOP) and Kapatid Mentor Micro Entrepreneurs (KMME) programs of DTI.

She said this year’s regional marketing event will feature export-quality products such as furniture and home furnishings, gifts and decors, wearables and homestyle, fashion accessories, and processed food from Central Visayas and neighboring regions.

“We have new improved products which I’m sure will be attractive to our balikbayans and foreign visitors alike,” Caberte said.

The OTOP program provides assistance to champion products using indigenous raw materials and local skills and talents in each town.

On the other hand, KMME program aims to advance micro, small and medium enterprises  and improve their ability  to become more competitive.

Dubbed as ‘Beyond Expectations @32,’ the Sandugo Trade Expo would also feature a special setting for chocolate/tableya makers in Bohol.

The expo, which also aims to promote Bohol as a tourist destination, is expected to attract national and international buyers.