Around 50 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are taking part in the three-day “Treasures of Region 12″ Trade Expo spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Makati City.

During the launch on Friday at the Glorietta Mall in Makati City, DTI Regional Director Flora Politud-Gabunales said the event showcases unique goods from the provinces of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani (SOCCSKSARGEN), as well as the cities of General Santos and Koronadal.

She said the trade fair aims to expand the MSMEs’ share in the domestic market.

“Our target is to come up with sales of PHP20 million for our MSMEs. That’s the true measure of the effectiveness of our interventions,” she said in mixed Filipino and English.

Meanwhile, DTI officer-in-charge and Assistant Director for Region 12 Rictoniel Reginio said the region is known for its agricultural bounty and heritage.

He said General Santos is the main center for commerce and industry, and is known for its world-class tuna fish and by-products.

Sultan Kudarat, meanwhile, is now known as the coffee capital of the Philippines.

“Almost 60 percent of the total production area or production volume of coffee is coming from our region,” he said, citing that the most common coffee variant is the Robusta.

Cotabato Province, in turn, is known for its high-quality cacao, the expensive Civet coffee, the second largest producer of rubber, and the second largest producer of pineapple.

South Cotabato, on the other hand, is known for its fabric.

Gabunales said Region 12 products are now being exported to countries like Japan, specifically for fresh tuna, while canned tuna are exported to the United States and part of Europe. (PNA)