In celebration of International Women’s Month, the Department of Trade and Industry in Caraga (DTI-13) has opened a month-long trade fair at the Atrium in SM City here, displaying the products of women entrepreneurs from across the region.

In a statement Wednesday (March 2), the DTI-13 said for this year, five booths are installed to exhibit the products from the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.

Dubbed as “Buy Caraga By Caraga: Women OTOPrenuer Trade Fair”, the DTI-13 said the products are created by women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that have been assisted by the trade agency through its One Town One Product Next Generation (OTOP Next Gen) program.

The trade fair, launched Tuesday in partnership with SM City Butuan, will run until March 31.

In the same statement, DTI-13 Regional Director Gay Tidalgo said the annual activity, which began last year, aims to highlight women’s capability to be economically empowered.

“This trade fair will provide women entrepreneurs a venue for them to promote their products and expand their market,” said Tidalgo.

She added that the agency is expecting around PHP300,000 in sales to be earned throughout the trade exhibit this month.

Tidalgo also urged the people to support locally produced goods by attending the trade event, which would feature handicrafts, wearables, beverages, fresh and processed foods, and other regional products.

In a separate interview Wednesday, Mike Ariel Plaza, the DTI-13 information officer, said the Women OTOPreneur Trade Fair last year that ran from March 17 to March 31 was able to generate total sales of PHP305,738.

OTOP Next Gen is a flagship initiative of the DTI for MSMEs aimed at boosting inclusive economic growth by providing help in the areas of goods, design, quality, production, and marketability. (PNA)