Bohol Sandugo Regional Trade Expo 2014 closed with over P40 million representing cash, booked sales and under negotiation, as micro, small and medium entrepreneurs see signs of recovery following major disasters earn hitting the regions. According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) consolidated sales reports from the annual regional trade expo, over-all cash sales from the five days of exhibits starting July 3—27, cash sales reached P3,229,782.00. In the same sales report, DTI said trade show booked sales reached some P7,481,170.00 while those under negotiated sales representing Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Regions 11 and 13 reached P72,997, 100.00. For Bohol, local entrepreneurs in handloom-wovens, furniture, processed food, household fixtures, home decorations, jewelries and fashion accessories assured themselves some P34 million in cash, booked and negotiated sales, leading the exhibitors comprising regions 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 13.

It may be recalled that not many investors here believe they can rise up after the strong earthquake that rocked Bohol and seriously affected the local manufacturing and home industries. The sales reports from the trade organizer: the Department of Trade and Industry in Bohol however indicate otherwise. Moreover, Region 8, which again was hit by what has been touted as the strongest typhoon in centuries, showed signs of recovery with P1.8M sales representing P1.6 million in cash and some P203, 500 in booked sales. Cebu, which suffered serious damages on its northern towns during the storms, also posted P1.4 million, with P506, 340.00 in booked sales and P959,200.00 in negotiated sales. Region 6 posted P409,300.00 with 299,300.00 in cash and P110,200.00 in booked sales. Region 11 pegged some P357,139.00 in total sales represented by P135,139.00 in cash, P202,000 in booked and P20,000 in under negotiations. Other exhibitors like Negros Oriental safe-kept P84,743.00 in cash sales, Region 13: P75,745, and Region 10 with P44,745.00. (Rey Anthony Chiu/PIA)