Wednesday, October 04, 2006

CY 2006 - Visayas OTOP Trade Fair (November 23-26)


Products from towns in the Visayas will be showcased for the first time during the Visayas OTOP (One-Town, One-Product) Trade Fair on Nov. 23 to 26 at the SM City Cebu Trade Hall.

Around sixteen provinces from regions 6, 7 and 8 will participate in the activity with each province showcasing about 20 products.

The OTOP is a priority project of President Arroyo’s administration to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs. The program’s implementation is led by local government units (LGUs) with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as marketing arm.

Through OTOP, local chief executives of each city and municipality take the lead in identifying, developing and promoting a specific product or service in their respective areas, which has a competitive advantage.

The program offers a comprehensive assistance package through a convergence of services from LGUs, national government agencies and the private sector.

The package includes business counseling, skills and entrepreneurial training, product design and development, appropriate technologies and marketing.

Earlier, DTI urged towns and cities to identify products that can be promoted under the OTOP program.