Access to the market remains the cornerstone of all the developmental initiatives of the Department of Trade and Industry. Aligned with these pivotal interventions, the DTI Palawan Provincial Office highlighted once again its assistance to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the annual Palawan Souvenir Trade Fair in celebration of the Baragatan sa Palawan Festival 2025 and the 123rd Founding Anniversary of the Civil Government of Palawan.

This 3-week-long provincial trade fair, which ran from June 6 to 23, 2025, at the Provincial Capitol Grounds, Puerto Princesa City, served as a dynamic platform for showcasing the “Gawang Lokal sa Palawan and Galing ng Palaweño” products on the provincial stage. 32 MSME exhibitors showcased the gawang lokal products of the 77 MSMEs developed through various DTI flagship programs such as the One Town One Product Next Generation Program (OTOP), Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP), and the Negosyo Center Program.

Among the featured Palawan-made products were cashew nuts, native handicrafts, pearls, handwoven accessories, banana chips, and other proudly local items, which generated total sales amounting to Php 2.89 million throughout the duration of the fair.

The Palawan Souvenir Trade Fair has served as a valuable platform for promoting Palawan’s diverse and locally crafted products to a broader market, highlighting the province’s rich culture and craftsmanship while expanding market opportunities for local entrepreneurs. More importantly, it enabled them to expand their customer base, receive real-time market feedback, strengthen their presence in the local value chain, facilitate direct engagement with consumers and potential buyers, enabling the exchange of commercial information and opening doors to new business opportunities.

Date of Release: 14 July 2025