P2.5 million sales expected at Kawayan market week

2005/11/09

P2.5 million sales expected at Kawayan market week

by T. Villavert

Iloilo City (9 November) -- Preparations are now in high gear as some 30 Ilonggo exhibitors target to earn P2.5 million in gross sales during the second KAWAYAN MARKET WEEK on November 14 to 20, 2005 at the Robinson’s Place, here.

The activity, back-to-back with the Hablon Fashion Fair is a collaborative effort of the Department of Trade and Industry-Iloilo with the Local Government Units of the province and City of Iloilo, the different national government agencies and the private sector, and aims to showcase the world class quality furniture and furnishing products of Iloilo using bamboo as the major component material and the noted handwoven fabrics and products of Oton, Arevalo, Igbaras, Duenas and Miag-ao.

Director Diosdado Cadena of the Department of Trade and Industry, Iloilo Office said that the five-day activity will heighten Iloilo’s claim as the Bamboo capital of the Philippines.

Earlier on this, Cadena said during the PIA’s CATV program that the claim is not far to achieve as many other manufacturers from other provinces of the country have admitted that Ilonggo products really have that edge. This was the observation gathered by Director Cadena in activities where Ilonggo products were exhibited at the CITEM or Center for International Trade Exhibitions and Missions, and in the Manila FAME.

Meanwhile, DTI Undersecretary for Regional Operations Carissa P. Cruz will be the guest of honor and speaker of the Iloilo Kawayan Market Week opening ceremony on November l4, 2005 at 4:00 o’clock p.m. at Robinson’s. Also to grace the opening program activities are: Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas, Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas, Sr., Congressman Raul T. Gonzales, Jr., Congressman of the lone district of Iloilo City.

Other activities programmed for the five-day activity are: November l5-Symposium on Bamboo; November l6- Seminar on Bamboo Materials Preparation and Treatment; November l7- Demo on Bamboo Weaving Design and Techniques; November l8- Launching of Maasin Kawayan Display Center in Ungka II Pavia, Iloilo at l0:00 A.M.; Lecture Demo on Bamboo Food Prepareation at l:00 to 5:00 P.M. Exhibits will be from l0:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Director Cadena said bamboo furniture/home furnishings industry is a priority sector for development of the province of Iloilo, taking into account the abundance of bamboo and the potentials of the industry in the local and export markets. He said that last year’s export of bamboo products was recorded at US$800,000.00 and we hope to reach the US$ 1 million mark this year. (PIA)

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