THE Association of Negros Producers (ANP) Tuesday, July 24, opened this year's Bulawan Awards and Trade Fair, which is poised to further boost micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province.
Now on its 28th year, the week-long activity held at the Robinsons Place Bacolod from July 23 to August 1.
Laurice Yokawa, membership coordinator reliever of ANP, said the activity is geared towards inspiring member-producers to create products that will be competitive in domestic and international markets.
Yokawa said the Bulawan Awards, in particular, is an annual production design competition among ANP members positioned to encourage creativity and commitment in terms of product innovation.
"The event aims to promote new and innovative products in the province," she said, adding that "aside from providing a venue for MSMEs to earn, the trade fair also enables them to tap more potential markets."
Patterned with that of the 32nd Negros Trade Fair to be held at Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City in September, this year's theme is "Sweet Talk: Sugar and Spice, Awesome and Nice."
The Bulawan Awards and Trade Fair is one way of promoting the biggest trade fair hosted by ANP outside the province, Yokawa said.
The trade fair gathers products of 25 member-producers and three non-member MSMEs.
The awards, meanwhile, showcased 102 entries including products like bags, jewelry, accessories, and furniture, among others.
The awarding ceremony is on July 31.