To support the micro, small, and medium
enterprises (MSMEs) in the CALABARZON region through product promotion and
market linkage, the Department of Trade and Industry Region 4-A held the
Agri-Business Forum cum Business Matching for the sectors of coffee, cacao, and
processed fruits and nuts on August 8, 2019 in Calamba City, Laguna, gathering
local farmer processors, industry players, institutional buyers, consolidators,
exporters, and regional-line agencies.
Coffee, cacao, and processed fruits and nuts
are among the priority sectors that DTI 4-A is targeting to develop in the next
five (5) years, given its high potential to accelerate the region’s economic
growth. Initial efforts to level up these sectors have been initiated by the
agency along with other partners in the government and the private sector.
“We gathered industry players in the priority
sectors of coffee, cacao and processed fruits and nuts who can share their
experiences and expertise, at the same time, this is also a good chance for our
local farmer processors, members of farmer-processor cooperatives and
associations, and women micro entrepreneurs to link their products to these
possible buyers and exporters. We want to promote our local products in the
region and for our farmers and entrepreneurs to rise up and to be players in
the value chain,” said DTI CALABARZON Director Marilou Q. Toledo.
The forum discussed the market opportunities,
trends, and technology updates on the coffee, cacao, fruits, banana, and
farm-tourism industry and initiatives on Philippine food product promotions,
support programs for MSMEs, and possible areas for collaboration.
A mini selling cum exhibit and a tasting area for
institutional buyers were set-up for all the products brought by participating
suppliers. Business-to-business (B2B) sessions were simultaneously being held. Institutional
buyers such as Shanghai Qugao International Trading Co., Ltd, SM Supermarket,
Yazaki Torres Manufacturing, Inc., Echosi Foundation, Inc., TP Food Processing
Corporation, Villa Socorro Farm, Casino Filipino Tagaytay, Seda Hotel, Hotel
Marciano, Taal Vista Hotel, The Bayleaf Hotel, Bote Central, Inc., KLT Fruits
Incorporated, and Mendez Organic Farm participated in the B2B, with MSMEs
generating booked sales.
The event was attended by 265 participants from
the private sector, non-government organizations, government agencies such as
the Department of Agriculture, Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of
Labor and Employment, Philippine Coconut Authority, Office Provincial
Agriculturist of Cavite, Rizal, Batangas, and Quezon, Department of Science and
Technology (DOST)- Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging
Technology Research and Development, DOST- Philippine Council for Agriculture,
Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), Philippine
Commission on Women, Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc., financial institution such as the
Land Bank of the Philippines, and the academe such as the Cavite State
University.
Using the industry cluster approach, the DTI
aims to build more alliances with relevant agencies and institutions to develop
competitive and innovative SMEs, implement program for productivity and
efficiency, and create conducive business enabling environment. The clustering
process necessitates the operation of upstream (raw material suppliers,
production inputs) and downstream (logistics, value adding, packaging, and
marketing) economic activities to support the whole value-chain.
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