DUMAGUETE CITY - Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Negros Oriental are looking forward to a promising rebound from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic with the help of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to promote their products and services.

DTI Assistant Regional Director Esperanza "Hope" Melgar, in her video message during Friday's opening of the Experience: 6200 Pop Up Creatives Fair and Negros Oriental Trade Fair, said emphasis is now being given to MSMEs.

"We hope to provide a better understanding as to the importance of the trade industry who are the key drivers of our economy," she added.

The event celebrates the concerted initiatives by DTI and partner agencies and organizations together to create strategies and various approaches to boost the MSMEs for progress and sustainability, she said.

Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo, who also graced the opening of the trade fair, said he is looking at helping DTI make this not just a yearly event but more on a "permanent basis".

He said he sees the potential of putting this in the Pantawan area at the boulevard, where there is currently an expansion of two to four areas of reclamation in Barangay Calindagan.

"We have space for the exhibit. Perhaps we can ask the business sector to help," Remollo said.

The mayor also offered the provincial DTI office space at the government center in Barangay Bajumpadan as they are currently renting their office at a downtown building.

Remollo said other government agencies are already looking at constructing their own buildings at the city government-owned property in Bajumpandan.

These include the provincial and city offices of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Department of Labor and Employment.

The creatives and trade fair, running from July 1 to 7 at a local mall in this capital, will feature MSMEs who have been developing new products during the pandemic lockdown.

The event, with a new name now, was launched in 2018 to showcase arts and local crafts, and other products.

Also to be featured are artists, craftsmen, artisans, fashion designers, animators, and musicians, the DTI here said.

Meanwhile, from July 3-30, a related event dubbed Experience: Padayon at Dakong Balay will feature digital artworks by local creatives of Negros Oriental.

This is a year-long endeavor that the DTI will culminate with an exhibit. (PNA)