DTI-BDTP adopts hybrid national trade fairs in 2021; announces plans for 2022

Building on lessons learned in the previous year, the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP) successfully adopted a hybrid approach, combining virtual online activities with physical in-person events, to fulfill its mandate to expand the market presence of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the country’s 16 regions.

Virtual National Trade Fair

Held from 27 January to 2 February 2021, the Virtual National Trade Fair (VNTF) was the first fully-virtual trade fair in the country. The familiar experience of physical trade fairs was shifted to a virtual setting, with a virtual lobby and exhibition halls, interactive digital booths and merchandising displays, teleconferences for business matching, and livestreamed business talks and webinars. The VNTF attracted 5,580 visitors from 31 countries, and generated Php 8.96-million in sales for the 111 MSME exhibitors.

Hybrid National Food Fair

Combining the excitement of a traditional physical event and the benefits of a digital event, the first Hybrid National Food Fair (HNFF) was also introduced in 2021. A series of online events on various e-commerce platforms culminated with a 10-day NFF physical show. Overall, the 64 MSMEs showcased in the physical show and the 213 MSMEs who featured in online events raised revenues amounting to Php 15.70-million.

Bagsakan Special Project

A crisis response program to help MSMEs, farmers, fruit growers, and social cooperatives survive the dire situation amidst the pandemic, the Bagsakan Special Project served as a venue for

selling fresh produce, processed food and non-food products, and heightened awareness to support Filipino MSMEs. By leveraging social media promotion, pre-event order-taking, face-to-face selling with contactless payment, and pick-up/delivery of products, MSMEs were able to supply food and other essential items to consumers. Most Bagsakan events are held at the DTI parking lot, other rent-free commercial venues, or malls offering discounted rental fees. The Bagsakan special project was further strengthened in 2021, through a partnership with the farm-to-table e-commerce platform, Mayani. In the past year, 42 physical Bagsakan events including 7 online Grand Bagsakan events assisted 159 MSMEs, farmers, fruit growers and social cooperatives, with sales of P25.55-million.

2022 Activities

While the major activities for 2022 are still in the planning stages, the relevance and success of the Bagsakan special project has encouraged MSMEs in the regions to replicate the event. In partnership with the DTI Regional Offices, the BDTP will be organizing a Bagsakan for Region 6 tentatively on 2 – 6 March 2022, for Region 8 on 17 – 20 March 2022, and for Region 10 sometime in August. The BDTP is also looking at mounting green projects and more online events this year.

With client satisfaction ratings averaging more than 90% for the various initiatives in 2021, the BDTP is currently finalizing the program of activities for 2022, with the goal of assisting more Filipino MSMEs reach a wider market and thus continue supporting the sectors that generate livelihood and employment for the majority of our countrymen.

For more information about BDTP and its upcoming projects, please follow the social media accounts on Facebook (DTI.BDTP), Instagram (dti.bdtp), and Twitter (@DTI_BDTP). You may also email Director Marievic M. Bonoan at bdtp@dti.gov.ph.