TACLOBAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Leyte province conducted the 5-day Layag Leyte Fiesta Bonanza Trade Expo 2024 from June 20 to 24 at the Robinsons Mall, Marasbaras, Tacloban City.
The trade fair was organized to anticipate the influx of visitors and buyers for Tacloban City’s fiesta celebration on June 30, 2024.
It aims to promote and showcase locally made products of 47 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from various municipalities in Leyte.
“Layag” is a local term that translates to sail. DTI Leyte utilizes this marketing brand to support entrepreneurs in accessing new and expanded markets.
The term symbolizes the resilience of the people of Leyte, highlighting their ability to persevere through challenges and remain committed to their goals despite obstacles or difficulties.
“With the expected influx of people due to the upcoming festivities and celebrations, indeed, this marketing event is timely,” DTI Regional Director Celerina Bato underscored.
Bato highlighted that the trade fair not only showcased the new and improved products from the MSMEs in Leyte but also demonstrated Leyte’s efforts to make its products more accessible to buyers.
“We are here to seize this opportunity to forge long-term partnerships with buyers and other partners,” she said.
As the agency increased its visibility and availability by bringing the products closer to the buyers, Bato called for a challenge to every exhibitor.
“Don’t just sell; create a relationship to ensure repeat business with your customers,” she emphasized.
In addition, she challenged the 47 exhibitors by increasing their target sales to P3 million instead of the previous P2.6 million.
The products showcased include food and non-food items such as wearable items, homestyle and furniture, processed fruits, and farm and dairy products, among others.
Alto Peak Chocolate from Ormoc City was one of the exhibitors and was listed among the national finalists in the Search for the Presidential Awards for Outstanding MSMEs in the country during the National MSME Summit in July.
If Alto Peak wins, it will be Leyte’s first national award for an MSME.
Bato was pleased to see the exhibitors display their improved products with the help of the DTI’s interventions, from labeling and packaging to marketing.
“I am elated to see once again our exhibitors from the province of Leyte. The same old faces are here, but there are also new faces, which made me happy, knowing of the many interventions we have for our MSMEs,” she said. (CBA, PIA-8)
