Export depot seen to cater to foreign, domestic tourists

With major economies like the US and Europe still slowing down, the national government set up its own store where exporters can sell their wares to foreign and domestic tourists.

The Tindahang Pinoy opened in Bridges Town Square along Plaridel Street in Mandaue City for exporters of gifts, toys and housewares (GTH) last Monday.

It is one of three stores in the country, the others being in Clark and Davao City.

Ramir Bonghanoy, president of the Gift, Toys and Housewares Foundation, Inc., the store provides them with another opportunity to showcase their products to tourists.

The Bridges Town Square is one of the routes taken by tour operators from the international airport.

“While we wait for the major markets to come back, we want to tap other markets including Asia and the local market which we used to just ignore not realizing it has actually a huge potential,” Bonghanoy said.

GTH Foundation,Inc. is tasked as the managing partner of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine International Trading Corp. for the project.

Regional DTI Director Asteria Caberte said the Tindahang Pinoy provides local exposure for exporters used to dealing with clients abroad.

“We have realized that the tourists that we have here is actually a huge market for our traders especially the exporters whose markets abroad are still suffering. Tindahang Pinoy is our answer to that,” Caberte said.

Caberte said they have long wanted to have a permanent depot that caters to the domestic market.

She said she believes that the store’s success will greatly benefit the micro, small and medium enterprise members of GTH.

The store initially opened with 60 GTH members exhibiting their products like fashion accessories, home accessories, souvenirs, and furnitures.

Bonghanoy said they plan to accommodate all their 100 members soon in the shop.

“We have small space here but we will try our best to accommodate everyone. They can have a display of a sample of their products here which they want to market locally,” said Bonghanoy.

Bonghanoy said the GTH sector hasn’t been suffering much compared to other export sectors like the furnitures and seaweed sectors.

“We have not seen a decline nor growth and that’s enough for now. At least we maintain a certain degree of sales to maintain our operations. This shop is a promising opportunity for us and slowly we hope to be able to grow the local market,” he said.

Bonghanoy said they are also inviting members of other export organizations like the Cebu FAME Foundation and the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation.

“Asia is a huge market and the Philippines itself is a huge market especially with the high number of tourists that visit us every year. We are optimistic. We are also slowly tapping other markets in Asia,” the GTH president said.

Bonghanoy said India and Italy remain major customers while Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Russia are emerging markets.