Photo by Marhom Ibrahim/BIO
COTABATO CITY—As part of the celebration of the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival, the Bangsamoro Government, through the Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism (MTIT) and Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), launched on Thursday, Dec. 15, the Agri-Trade Fair at the Cotabato City Plaza.
Exhibitors from Maguindanao del Sur and del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Special Geographic Areas (SGA), and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi participated in the said fair to promote their agricultural products and local products.
The Agri-Trade booths are comprised of micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) as well as local producer groups from the different BARMM provinces assisted by MAFAR.
According to MTIT Minister Abuamri Taddik, the Agri-Trade Fair does not only promote the agricultural and other local products in the region but also hopes to strengthen the unity and camaraderie among the provinces.
BARMM Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua said, “the arrival of Muhammad Shariff Kabunsuan who was an Arab missionary brought along three things such as religion (Islam), trade, and culture. Trade is very important but it should be in line with the teachings of religion as well as the culture which determined our identity.”
One of the exhibitors, Georgina Carpio, president of Sardine Coop from Maluso, Basilan said, “nandito po kami upang i-promote ang aming products para naman makilala ang aming mga produkto. Ang kikitain namin ay matutulungan ang mga miyembro ng koop namin na kung saan karamihan ay mga mahihirap. Maraming salamat sa BARMM sa pag-imbita sa amin through MAFAR-Basilan.”
Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony was also attended by MAFAR Minister Mohammad Yacob, Cotabato City Mohammad Matabalo, Cotabato City Tourism Council Executive Chair Bai Sandra Sema, and former Congresswoman Ruby Sahali, among others. (Majid Nur/BIO)
