One of the local clients assisted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Catanduanes provincial office, A. Teves Enterprises, joined other Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from the Bicol region in showing off their products at the 19th Lifestyle Expo in Tokyo, Japan last week.
Also joining A. Teves’ Ma. Florisa T. Resayaga at the international exposition for fashion goods and accessories last July 3-5, 2024 at the Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Center, East Hall 6, Ariake, Koto City were two representatives from the provincial government of Catanduanes, PBM Jan Ferdinand Alberto, who chairs the SP Committee on Trade & Industry, and Assistant Provincial Assessor Christopher Marasigan.
The three Catandunganons also paid a courtesy visit to the Philippine Embassy in the Japanese capital city.
Participation to said international expo was initiated by DTI-Regional Office 5, through Regional Director Dindo G. Nabol, in coordination with the Philippine Trade and Investment Office in Tokyo.
The event is part of the 19th Lifestyle Week in Tokyo, which is the world’s leading trade fair for all things lifestyle: from gifts, homeware, fashion items, and baby products to food. It is the best venue to promote Bicol products and to source for Made in Japan and worldwide products as well as finding new Original Equipment-Manufacturer (OEM)/Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) partners, the DTI said.
Originally, 15 MSMEs from Bicol, including three from Catanduanes, were supposed to have the opportunity to showcase their fashion goods and accessories at the expo but some failed to secure travel documents on time, with A. Teves Enterprises the lone MSME from the island. .
Dir. Nabol said the MSMEs were chosen to join the exposition because their products were tailored for the Japanese market using indigenous raw materials in Bicol such as abaca, coconut, and pili shells.
The Bicol MSMEs showcased new and improved product lines for the summer collection designed by highly experienced designers from the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP) that feature functional, innovative, and trendy products. They were also given the opportunity to visit different businesses and companies in Japan to market their products.
After the expo, the products will be displayed at the Philippine Embassy in Japan, Nabol added.
Meanwhile, another DTI Catanduanes MSME client, Belen’s Pinahamis na Pili of Evelyn Bonifacio, brought the pride of Catanduanes to Metro Manila for the 2024 DTI Bagong Pilipinas National Food Fair last July 3-7 at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall. (with a report from PNA)