THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 2, in partnership with the city government of Tuguegarao, showcased Cagayan Valley’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) products and services in the China-Asean Expo (Caexpo) 2023.

The DTI Region 2 said on Monday that the inclusion of Cagayan MSMEs in the showcase is aimed at strengthening the region’s MSME foreign exports and trade relations as part of their effort to enter Chinese market, other Asean countries, and international businesses.

“The Region 2’s participation is geared towards penetrating the international market, bridging export and investment promotions, and strengthening foreign export and trade relation,” the department said.

Products included in the showcase were crop and fruit-based processed food snacks such as the Chichamatis or tomato chips of Lighthouse Cooperative, banana chip of One Asia Trade, others such as shrimp products of Dataj Aquafarm, and handwoven trendy bags made out of pandan leaves, among others.

For Tuguegarao City Mayor Maila Ting-Que, the expo is an opportunity for the city’s entrepreneurs to grow and expand their businesses.

She urged businesses to invest in the city after it was featured as the “City of Charm” in the Philippines for showcasing its tourism potentials that are ideal for investment opportunities.

“With this, we expect more visitors to come to Tuguegarao City to invest and also to experience our warm hospitality,” she said.

“Our city is excellent for forging partnerships to sustain our local economic development. We welcome big ticket investments that will generate employment and provide sustainable solutions in our city,” she added.

“Indeed, Tuguegarao City is doing its best in accompanying the business sector towards sustainable development. … Invest in our city and we guarantee you that your investment will be seen, will be felt, and will be loved.”

Caexpo 2023 is being held in Nanning, China. It started on September 16 and will end on September 19. The Philippine delegation is led by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem), the export promotions arm of the DTI.

Caexpo is an international economic and trade communication event that aims to bolster the China-Asean Free Trade Area.