IRENE SINO-CRUZ
The Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) is giving a boost to local businesses on their road to economic recovery by organizing the Mandaue Expo 2022.
The expo is one of the activities in the annual Mandaue Business Month (MBM) 2022 organized by MCCI.
“We are showcasing Mandaue businesses through the Mandaue Expo 2022. We’re happy to see that the trajectory of our business landscape is going up. If there are no other disturbances in the economy, we are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel,” said MBM 2022 chair Mark Anthony Ynoc.
MBM 2022 chair Mark Anthony Ynoc
Ynoc explained that events like the Mandaue Expo 2022 help promote local products. “I really believe that the heart of any company is marketing, creating awareness of their products, especially we’re still not open for export.”
Doing domestic promotion would help local businesses recover from the slump that they experienced at the height of the pandemic.
Ynoc also hoped that the government will also help the agriculture and tourism sectors, which are major contributors to the economy.
Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, who was a special guest during the opening of the Mandaue Expo 2022, said that the activity is a promotion for economic recovery of local businesses.
Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes
Mayor Cortes also recognized MCCI for the chamber’s continuous support for the city government. “We’re fortunate that Mandaue Chamber are our partners. They are always there even during the pandemic.”
He said that the city government also supports Mandaue businesses, including the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). “We have this Tatak Mandaue. We are promoting local products and helping MSMEs by providing financial support, seminars and training, in partnership with MCCI.”
The mayor said that the city government, together with the MCCI, continues to support MSMEs.
Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, together with other officials, graced the opening of Mandaue Expo 2022, held at the Mandaue Sports and Cultural Complex
Meanwhile, two firms, S&V Home Décor Trading and Dierde Export Trading, who are among the exhibitors during the expo, said that they are able to survive the pandemic because of local sales.
Joam Basalo, manager of Dierde Export, said that before the pandemic their sales were 70 percent export and 30 percent local.
Basalo said their company generated local sales by joining trade fairs. Presently, local and export sales are equal although total sales is still below the pre-pandemic figures, she said.
On the other hand, Jelson Meramonte of the S&V Home Décor Trading recalled that they just started their business one month before the lockdown was implemented on March 2020.
They were able to operate again after borders were lifted and have depended more on local sales, Meramonte said.
Local products are on sale at discounted prices while tourist-related business are also offering special rates.
Over 40 exhibitors, including those engaged in food manufacturing, accommodation, financial institutions and pharmaceutical products, participated in the Mandaue Expo 2022.
The Mandaue Expo 2022 is being held at the Mandaue Sports and Cultural Complex until August 7, 2022.
