DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez |
Now it can be told: Department of Trade and Industry has officially opened their very first Virtual National Trade Fair happening right now (online) through their website via an online ceremony. Attendees are also from remote locations across the country, netizens, SMEs, and business enthusiasts. You can also join in the fun by logging into their official website at virtualnationaltradefair.dti.gov.ph and on social media channels.
During his speech, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez highly praised Filipino craftsmanship as well as our innate ability to "bounce back" as we had just suffered from difficulties and challenges brought about by the pandemic yet we still find silver linings amidst the adversities. Secretary Lopez also cited brighter economic prospects for this year, 2021. He believes the DTI will serve as a primary economic catalyst. "Today's opening of this Virtual National Trade Fair is part of the Department of Trade & Industry's pivot to digital, and very much in keeping with the buzzwords in our mission statement, which are: innovative, competitive, job-generating, inclusive, and empowering."
Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman of the Trade Promotions Group also said that the domestic trade fairs carry a rich tradition of success for MSMEs, than in 2019. There have been three fairs that were organized that particular year which saw around 115,000 visitors and generated Php 193.44-million in revenues for 782 exhibitors.
The Virtual National Trade Fair represents a move to go digital for the DTI. In keeping up with the times, the DTI is taking its initiative so that MSMEs can continue to expand their market presence in the domestic market now that they are online.