DTI's First Virtual National Trade officially Kicks-Off Today

 

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. 

Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona of the Regional Operations Group struck an inspirational message by saying that 2021 is another year where we hope to give our MSMEs their much-needed boost to jumpstart their significant milestones in business. It is needed to establish their presence on e-commerce where most Filipinos are. An online presence opens up to a whole new world of possibilities where they can tap not just local and domestic buyers but prospective buyers internationally as well. 

The nature of B2B is an avenue to showcase the best products from the various regions so MSMEs can secure bulk orders from institutional buyers from department stores, hotels, supermarket chains and even export consolidators. 

From January 27 to February 2, 2021, the Virtual National Trade Fair will be accessible online 24/7. On the first four days of the fair from January 27 to January 30, exhibitors will man their booths virtually during show hours from 10AM to 6PM. At that time, visitors can do real-time chats, meetings, and video calls. Beyond show hours and in the following days from January 31 to February 2, visitors can continue to visit the booths anytime and leave a message for the exhibitor.

The Virtual National Trade Fair is free and open to the public. Simply visit their official website at virtualnationaltradefair.dti.gov.ph and fill up your registration details. You may also follow them through Facebook and Instagram at @virtualnatltradefair. 

The Virtual National Trade Fair is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry's Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (DTI-BDTP) in collaboration with the DTI Regional Operations Group. For more information about the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion, please follow their social media accounts @BDTP on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You may also email bdtp@dti.gov.ph.