The first Virtual National Trade Fair (VTNF), organized by the Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP) in collaboration with the Regional Operations Group, ended its seven-day run on Feb. 2 with encouraging results and lessons for Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Envisioned mainly as a digital business-to-business event, the VTNF recorded 5,473 visitors who checked out the offerings in the booths of 110 exhibitors.
As negotiations are concluded between buyers and the exhibitors, the reported revenues generated are expected to increase in the coming months.
“Although the numbers may seem small in comparison to the tens of thousands of fairgoers for the onsite national trade fairs of previous years, we are still pleased with the attendance in this first VNTF considering that most of these are institutional buyers and not just passersby. Our exhibitors were able to successfully transact business virtually, and this is an important learning experience for all of us,” BDTP Director Marievic Bonoan said.
Online workshops and learning sessions were also among the events during the VNTF that were well-attended, with over 6,000 views on the virtual conference hall and the social media live streams.
The webinars garnered generally positive feedback from the attendees, who remarked that the topics were interesting and helpful for those aspiring to start their own business ventures.
With the positive start for the first VTNF signaling an optimistic outlook for the year, the BDTP is set to launch more programs to help Filipino MSMEs expand their market presence and continue on their digital transformation journey in 2021.
Crissander Enterprises from Region 7 received orders for its handmade fashion accessories and gifts amounting to over P1.6 million. Its main products include earrings, necklaces, bangles, key chains, and bookmarks made of indigenous wood such as jackfruit, coconut, madre de cacao, and bangkao.
Tumandok Crafts Industries from Region 6, which produces home accessories and décor, storage, and organizer items, booked over P1.5M worth of orders.
For more information about the DTI-BDTP, follow @BDTP on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or email [email protected]. – Press release
April 20, 2024
