Gallery opens for tourists to explore the dried-fruit industry

A Cebu dried-fruit producer invested P20 million in a three-story showroom that strengthens the country’s position as the dried mango capital of the world.

Profood International Corp. president Justin S. Uy led the opening of the Profood Gallery in the company’s compound in Maguikay, Mandaue City, last Wednesday.

The 3,000-square-meter facility will house a display of the company’s history, products and show how fresh mangoes are processed.

Many local and foreign visitors ask about the dried-fruit industry, he said.

“This building is mainly geared towards tourism. We are eyeing the large market of Korean tourists who visit us here,” said Uy.

His real estate firm Everjust Realty Development Corp. is now the majority shareholder of the Korean hotel chain Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa in Mactan.

Uy said the new gallery has a museum, an area for sampling products and two theaters to show videos about the company and other information about mango fruits.

Uy said tourists should see more of Cebu beyond the province’s beaches and shopping malls.

He said the Profood Gallery, which will provide mango exhibits on how the fruit is grown, will strengthen the country’s brand as the world’s dried mango capital.

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Uy didn’t disclose figures but said the company laid out a five-year investment plan, which includes a retirement village in Consolacion town, north Cebu, and a hospital in Mandaue City for village residents.

“We have the landmarks for these facilities. Next week, we will be talking with an international partner to run the hospital because we want it to adopt international standards and have international accreditation,” said Uy.

“The two projects should be done simultaneously,” he added.

“We plan to get it up by 2017.”

While his export business remains stable despite economic upsets in major markets of the United States and Europe, Uy said he wasn’t worried.

“We remain confident about the tourism industry . We see it as a business that complements our export business.”