DTI-12 to showcase Central Mindanao products in Makati trade fair

KORONADAL CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry will try to connect 22 micro-small medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Region 12 with potential partners in Metro Manila from April 11 to 14. The business matching” initiative is one of the highlights of the four-day Treasures of S.O.X Travel and Trade Expo” at the Glorietta Mall in Makati City, an activity involving the regional offices here of DTI and the Department of Tourism. The geographical tag S.O.X. means all component areas of Region 12, the cities of Cotabato, Gen. Santos, Koronadal and Tacurong and the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani. In a statement emailed Friday, the DTI-12 said the business matching event is in support of the DOT’s effort intended to showcase Central Mindanao’s tourism and trade potentials. This is to educate people in Metro Manila on what the S.O.X areas have in terms of trade, tourism, cultures and people comprised of Muslims, Christians and Lumad folks,” the DTI-12 said. The local MSME exhibitors to participate in the April 11-14 trade fair are food processors producing export-grade products and entrepreneurs engaged in production and marketing of handicrafts and wearable items.The DTI-12 has also invited local producers of organic black rice, honey and other agricultural products certified as Halal” by local certification boards to join the trade fair.The term halal refers to food that Muslims can eat, free from haram (forbidden) ingredients such as pork and alcohol.The DTI-12 will also bring to the trade fair in Makati City a Cotabato City-based producer of brasswares such as gongs and other typically Moro souvenir items made of brass materials. The DTI-12 said organizers will also display during the four day event the inaul hand-woven ethnic Maguindanaon cloth.The inaul is now widely used as material for special attires ethnic Maguindanaons wear during weddings and other important occasions.