A two-day trade fair dubbed “Philippine Festival 2017” washeld on September 30 to October 1, 2017 in Hibiya Park, Tokyo, Japan. The fair featured many products, including some of the outstanding quality products brought by 10 participating Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from Central Luzon. The participation of the MSMEs from the region in the Festival’s trade fair was supported by the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc., with assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry Regional Office III (DTI-3). The invitation of the Central Luzon exhibitors was made possible by the support and assistance of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Tokyo, which is headed by Commercial Counsellor Dita Angara Mathay.
DTI-3 Regional Director Judith P. Angeles led the delegation together with DTI Tarlac Provincial Director Agnes B. Ramirez and DTI Bulacan Provincial Director and Acting Asst. Regional Director Zorina D. Aldana. Zambales Vice-Governor Angelica Magsaysay and representatives from the local governments of Bataan and Nueva Ecija also joined the mission.
The delegation met with Ambassador Jose Laurel V and Commercial Counsellor Dita Angara Mathay of the PTIC in Tokyo. They were given a briefing on the Japanese Market for Home Decors and Fashion Accessories by Yoko Kawaguchi, President of Y Worth Corporation of Japan, Namiko Watanabe, senior consultant of the Business Development Center of Tokyo and Koichi Shibuya, manager of Nomura Holdings Inc.
The participating MSMEs from Central Luzon consisted of six (6) enterprises from Bulacan, three (3) from Tarlac and one (1) from Nueva Ecija. They are Kit Silver Jewelry, Franbel Native Products, Armyths International Fashion Design, Hands of Claire Arts and Crafts, Charms and Crystals, MERR-C Society of the Word Foundation, Inc., Wood Inspirations Crafts, RF Santos Group of Company, Pascasio Pottery and Salon de Albularyo.
The Central Luzon entrepreneurs earned a total of 1.74 Million Yen for the two-day fair, aside from booked orders from two Japanese buyers. The DTI Regional Office is proposing that more entrepreneurs will join the next trade and investment mission in Japan in 2018.