ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / July 19, 2013) -Zamboanga Peninsula’s six champion products – rubber, coconut, seaweeds, abaca, mango and processed fish will take center stage in the upcoming trade event in Zamboanga City dubbed as ZAMPEX 2013, trade officials said.
Regional trade director Nazrullah Manzur said ZAMPEX short for Zamboanga Peninsula Trade Exposition will take advantage of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival in October as a marketing venue for the products.
He said the region’s products had been identified as such through resolutions of the Regional Development Council in 2005 and 2011. They are at the same time the priority industry clusters in Western Mindanao.
Their selection is based on certain criteria such as their contribution to the regional economy, comparative advantages, and potentials for further development.
“ZAMPEX 2013 will be both a marketing and promotional event for these industry clusters as we plan to put up a special setting that will showcase the various products derived from the six and also the numerous business and investment opportunities along their respective value chains – from production, to processing to marketing,” Manzur said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
“There will of course be other products that will be up for sale during the event mostly coming from the SMEs that we have assisted through product development. These include various food products, jewelry and fashion accessories, gifts and housewares, handicrafts, among other from all over Region 9,” Manzur said.
He said they expect exhibitors from other regions in Mindanao to participate in the trade event. (Lowell Vallecer)
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