DAVAO CITY (PIA) — The Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation Inc.’s Araw ng Dabaw edition, held from March 12-16, 2025, at Abreeza Ayala Mall in Davao City, aimed to enhance market opportunities for 100 micro, small and medium enterprises across Mindanao.
This year’s MTE theme, “Bridging Mindanao MSMEs to Broader Markets,” was organized in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Agriculture, the City Government of Davao and private sector partners.
The expo featured a diverse selection of products, including arts and crafts, home décor, fashion accessories, apparel, health and wellness products, as well as fresh and processed foods.
MTEFI Executive Director Marian Comilang emphasized the event’s role in gathering MSMEs across Mindanao, providing them with premium market opportunities and supporting economic growth.
“We are doing this to offer premium market opportunities for our MSMEs, especially in the Mindanao area,” Comilang said.
Additionally, Comilang underscored MTEFI’s commitment as a business support organization contributing to government initiatives, promoting local enterprises and advocating for the “Buy Local, Go Lokal” campaign.
MSME participant Leslie Dela Cuadra expressed satisfaction with the event, emphasizing that being part of the expo provided her products valuable exposure, led to increased sales and made her products more marketable.
“Actually po, masaya kasi iba po kasi yung nandito ka, kasi ma-e-expose mo yung product. So, ang kitaan, compared before at saka ngayon na nag-join na ako ng trade fair, mas nag-i-increase po siya. So, kumikita ako, then nabebenta ko si product nang maayos, at saka mas saleable siya dito,” Cuadra said. (We are happy because here we get exposure for our products and our profits before and now that we have joined the trade fair is increasing. I am earning, I am selling my products properly and it is saleable here.)
Joy Solis, a resident of Matina, Davao City, expressed satisfaction with the event, emphasizing that many regional products were being sold at lower prices.
“Masaya po kasi madaming masyadong mga products na from Davao Region na binebenta, at mura siya compared sa commercial shops,” Solis said. (We are happy as there are many products from Davao Region being sold and is cheaper compared to commercial shops.)
A key highlight of the event was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between MTEFI, the Philippine Women’s College and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism of Maguindanao Province.
The MOU aims to strengthen the Bangsamoro textile industry through mapping, scoping and profiling initiatives with PWC, as well as product development and market platform expansion with MTEFI’s support. (REC/PIA XI)
