March 29, 2024

The Department of Trade and Industry-Resource Generation and Management Service, in partnership with the Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP), the Knowledge Management and Information Service, and the Regional Operations Group, staged the first online trade fair for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) owned by persons with disability. 
In line with the celebration of the 42nd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week while observing Proclamation 922, the fair, entitled Biz-Ability Online Trade Fair, aimed to give entrepreneurs who are PWDs the initial exposure and experience to sell their products online through well-known and big platforms amid the pandemic.  
The MSMEs, assisted by the DTI regional offices, that initially participated are either owned by a PWD or employing PWDs in their business.
Various products such as fashion accessories and wearable items like bags and facemasks; food like ice cream, sherbet, coco sugar, and tofu; and gifts, decor and houseware like blankets and table runners are featured initially on Facebook.  
Supporting Filipino entrepreneurs, including PWDs, is one of the core mandates of the Department’s Trade Promotion Group hence, the partnership with the DTI-BDTP.
“With the indefinite postponement of national trade events such as the National Food Fair and National Trade Fair due to the pandemic, the DTI has transitioned to online events such as this online trade fair for MSMEs with PWDs to promote our Filipino entrepreneurs and their products,” said Usec. Abdulgani M. Macatoman.  
“We continue to give support to our PWD-entrepreneurs in every way we can. The online trade fair we have developed especially for them shows that we acknowledge and value the hard work and dedication they put in creating their products/services. It is critical for businesses to run smoothly during this pandemic and this is now applied for our PWD entrepreneurs. Together with Sec. Ramon Lopez, I enjoin everyone to support the online trade fair,” said Asec. Ameenah A. Fajardo, DTI-PWD focal person. 
Lopez hopes for the success of the online trade fair for MSMEs owned by PWDs as it promotes inclusivity and empowerment for differently-abled Filipino businesses.
“As we encourage small businesses to maximize the digital platform, we are glad to see that such entrepreneurs are able to show their creativity and resiliency through this event. With the PWD community by our side as we continue to promote and train MSMEs to go into the e-commerce industry, we will be able to not only adjust to the new normal but thrive in a better normal,” he said. 
Biz-Ability runs from July 30 to Aug. 12. – Press release