THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Calabarzon continues to strengthen the global competitiveness of local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by sending 15 homegrown brands to ProPak Asia 2025—one of the region’s largest international processing and packaging trade events held in Bangkok, Thailand.
The participating MSMEs were part of the Philippine delegation to ProPak Asia, held from June 11 to 14 at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC). Their participation provided an opportunity to explore international markets, forge export partnerships, and showcase Calabarzon’s innovative and sustainable products on a global stage.
ProPak Asia, organized by Informa Markets, gathers industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers from across Asia and beyond, offering a platform for cutting-edge solutions, networking, and market expansion.
DTI emphasized that the delegation’s participation was geared toward promoting innovation, competitiveness, and market readiness in the Philippine MSME sector.
“The activities offered valuable opportunities to explore regional best practices in packaging, branding, product innovation, and creative enterprise development,” DTI said in a statement.
Among the participating entrepreneurs was Rhea Santillan, owner of Lucky Food Services and Pat & Kat Food Products in Cavite City. As a first-time delegate, Santillan joined the expo to learn about new technologies to upgrade her food processing business.
“My business offers products such as crispy pata, crispy ulo, lechon kawali, and other marinated pork products. I discovered vacuum packaging equipment that can improve my product’s packaging quality, enhance production efficiency, and maintain proper sanitation in handling marinated pork products,” she added.
She underscored the impact of one seminar conducted by the World Packaging Association that struck her as being a responsible business owner.
“The seminar that struck me the most was the one by the World Packaging Association. I’m in the retail industry, and it made me realize that I contribute to pollution. So, it helps me to be intentional and mindful in choosing [sustainable] packaging with my product,” she explained.
With this effort of the government to MSME, Santillan expressed gratitude to DTI for empowering entrepreneurs like her to know the global trends and best practices.
According to DTI, this initiative reflects the Marcos administration’s broader commitment to nurturing inclusive, innovation-led, and globally competitive MSMEs, in line with its Bagong Pilipinas vision.
The DTI stressed that it remains committed to empowering local MSMEs to align with international trends and adopt environmentally responsible practices. (KA, PIA 4A)
