10th Aklan Piņa and Fiber Fest nets P6 million in sales

2009/06/17

10th Aklan Piņa and Fiber Fest nets P6 million in sales

by Venus G. Villanueva

Kalibo, Aklan (17 June) -- The recent holding of the 10th Aklan Piņa and Fiber Festival here in time with the province' celebration of its 53rd anniversary as a separate province netted a total of P6.057 million in sales.

According to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena Jr., the total sales at the end of the fair is 38% higher than the previous year's performance of P4.3920 million.

"It is the highest recorded sales in the ten years of holding the annual fiber festival," Director Cadena told Aklan Governor Carlito s. Marquez, who was sent a copy of the post-activity report.

Sectors which participated in the trade fair included Indigenous Fibers and Crafts, which generated total sales of P2.1093 M; Gifts, housewares and Furnishings, P2.5439 M; Processed Food, 0.3062 M; Garden/Cutflower, 0.109 M; LGUs/GOs/NGOs, 0.2555 M; and Tsibugan, 0.5313 M.

Fair participants included Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (90), LGUs, GOs and NGOs. The total sales included cash, booked orders and under negotiation.

Dir. Cadena said sales negotiation and product development are ongoing between the buyers and the MSMEs.

"We hope additional sales will be realized as soon as all parties agreed on price, payment terms, delivery schedules and products specs as suggested by the buyers", Cadena said.

The holding of the fiber festival yearly in Aklan by the Department of Trade and Industry with the help of the Provincial Government is aimed at positioning Aklan as the Piņa capital of the country and the premier source of quality natural fiber loomwoven cloths/crafts; bolster promotion of local industries, investment and tourism in the province; and to showcase the One Town, One Product (OTOP) of Aklan's 17 towns.

During the Fiber Festival, 11 serious buyers came and placed booked orders. Of the buyers, two were importers (U.S. - based) and 7 were exporters. The group of Ms. Bea Zobel Sr. of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines also came.

The DTI revealed that top sellers were indigenous fibers/crafts; gifts, houseware and furnishings; furniture; processed food and garden.

Buyers were also impressed by the variety of products at the show, and consistent standouts were the loomwoven fabrics and crafts as well as furniture pieces, the DTI revealed. (PIA)

Cabatuan.com - Kasimanwa.com - Diosdado Cadena Jr.