A SEVEN-DAY trade fair at the Entrance 3 of SM City Cagayan de Oro is expected to hit high sales for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Northern Mindanao region, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said over the weekend.

The DTI-organized product exposition runs until August 31, 2012, with local products in the limelight, including wood-based, processed food and finished product of five Northern Mindanao provinces — Camiguin, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte.

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The DTI-Northern Mindanao, along with partner government agencies –Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Education, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Science and Technology, among others — opened the product exhibition last August 25.

Like other trade fairs she attended, Eliza L. Singidas, owner of Singidas Furniture based in Libertad Bajo, Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental, said first days at product expositions usually are frustrating for exhibitors.

“We just need patience with this kind of livelihood,” Singidas said.

Singidas Furniture sells high-end hardwood-made home furniture.

Benjie F. Arrieta, sales and production manager of Rustic Woodwork based in Valencia City, Bukidnon, told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that his recycled wood materials make his customers feel they’re at the Western countries when his products are displayed at their homes.

“These (bad cut) woods (hardwood-kind specie) are being thrown away by sawmills at our place. But I made it as a wine bottle holder so we can make the most of these rejected materials,” he said.

“It’s sad of course to note that first days are hard for us, but we’re used to it because based on our experiences, trade fairs helped us sell our products effectively,” Arrieta added.

The DTI said product exhibitions give SMEs a venue where to sell their produce successfully.

The regional Trade department also said they help the SMEs develop some products according to their needs. They give free trainings, designs, titling of products, “basically product development assistance.” They also help promote and sell locally developed goods.