The Center for International Trade Expositions & Missions, an agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, commended the significant strides Albay has made in the crafts market.
The agency said Albay crafts were a huge hit during the Manila FAME Artisans Village expo earlier this year at the World Trade Center.
Manila FAME is the country’s premiere design and lifestyle event, which showcases craftsmanship, design innovations and artisanship in Philippine products. Organized by Citem, it is attended by buyers and prospectors worldwide.
Citem executive director Rosvi Gaetos in a report praised Albay’s performance during the April 2016 Manila FAME event, where the province registered a dramatic sales increase from the previous event held October 2015 at the SMX Mall of Asia.
The report said Albay’s 13 companies, which participated in the two events, had overwhelmingly higher group sales than other participants from Laguna, Cagayan Valley and Davao Region.
The Albay participants in the Manila FAME were sponsored by Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda Salceda, who was then provincial governor.
They include Aim Handicraft, Disenio de Craftico, EmEl Mape, Forcast, JM Handicrafts, Natural Carpet Industry, Ness Crafts, NGC Decor, Prime Legacy, RCB Crafts and Design, Shelmed Cottage Treasures, Starcrest and Rains Handicrafts.
The province has helped local design and craft companies to link up with both global and domestic markets as a means of improving its local economy and tourism.
Albay’s export sales in the April event totaled $603,021, accounting for over 65 percent of the $922,634 entire sales of the Artisans Village event.
Gaetos’ report said Albay registered P4.7 million in local, or more than 66 percent of the combined entire domestic sales of the event.