AROUND 12 companies, both local and foreign, successfully had business matching Thursday, September 22 during the first day of the 18th Davao Agri-Trade Expo (Date) 2016 at the SMX Convention Center, the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) reported.
John Carlo Tria, program director of Date 2016, told reporters at the sidelines of the biggest and largest agri-related event in Mindanao that the chamber will officially announce the results of the business matching soon.
“We cannot tell officially what particular business partnerships and ventures were matched but from the looks of it we can say that the event is doing so good not to mention that for this year we are fully-booked,” he said.
DCCCII, the lead organizer of the three-day event which will run until Sunday, earlier said that the companies interested for business opportunities include Asuki Weighing System Inc., Bioextend Asia Inc., First Philippine Scales Inc., Macondray Plastics Products Inc., Mega Harbour Port and Development Inc., NKM Import/Export Inc., and Premium AC Corporation.
For this year, some 140 exhibitors joined the expo that focused on financing, processing, marketing and exporting Mindanao’s golden crops — cacao, coffee, coconut, cassava, corn, and rice.
“We are hoping that our agri-players especially small producers, which lack access to market can start moving their products outside of Davao, sell it to outside customers and make arrangement with local retailers,” Tria said.
Asked on the breakdown of the participants of the event, Tria said that a potential number of young businessmen and farmers showed interest, a significant indication of the increasing desire of the “millennials” to engage on agri-marketing.
He underscored that marketing enables agriculture and farming more attractive to young people.
Department of Agriculture (DA) regional director Ricardo Oñate Jr., representing agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol, said in his speech that Date, for the past 18 years, is a confirmation that Davao Region is in the right path in agriculture, highlighting the golden crops of the island that boost the country’s economy.
Meanwhile, Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) director for investment promotions and public affairs director Olie Dagala said that as Mindanao is driven by the agriculture sector, it is also high time for the island to push for the “emerging growth of organic and Halal.”
This year's expo carries the theme: Bridging the Gap: Global Opportunities for Mindanao's Golden Crops.
Date 2016 is expected to bridge the gap between agri-traders, businessmen and consumers alike as this year's Date revolves Beyond Production: Financing, Processing, Marketing and Exporting.
It is organized by DCCCII in partnership with DA, Department of Trade and Industry, Minda, Philippine Coconut Authority, and Bureau of Plant and Industry. (ASP)