MACTAN, Cebu — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Central Visayas has announced an allocation for P15 million to fund the establishment of a permanent exporters’ showroom in Cebu.

“I have been informed that the P15-million budget to build a permanent showroom for exporters in Cebu has been recently approved, said DTI-Central Visayas Regional Director Asteria Caberte. “This will answer the call of the export sector for a permanent showroom facility.”

Establishing a permanent showroom for exporters in Cebu has long been an overdue dream for both exporters and some government agencies, including local government units.

In partnership with the Philippine International Trade Corporation (PITC), the DTI will facilitate the construction of said permanent showroom for exporters in Cebu.

Caberte said at present, the DTI and PITC are scouting for a viable location where such a showroom can be built.

“We’re trying to hit the tourists so it is ideal that this facility will be located on the way to the airport, or near the airport in Mactan. But, we still have to look for a property,” Caberte said.

In a related development, Eric Ng Mendoza, President of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry President also echoed the need for a showroom being a “practical” solution for exporters to display their products other than having to participate in local expositions with limited number of days and will cost exporters’ much in terms of registration fee and logistics.

In the meantime, several Cebuano exporters have partnered with a local private entrepreneur in setting up a showroom that would allow foreign buyers convenience in having a glimpse of Cebu’s world-class export products.

The showroom, named Garu, occupies 100 square meters of rented space and is located at the newly opened Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa in Mactan.

Kate Dychangco-Anzani, who owns and runs the store, has initially partnered with eight world-known exporters manufacturing furniture, fashion accessories, home furnishings, and locally-designed resort wears, among others.

Dychangco-Anzani said the concept was born out of a need for a one-stop shop venue for exporters to display their items.

“We need to have a showroom that will showcase Cebu’s well-known products. Every foreign buyer or tourist should be provided with this kind of facility,” said Dychangco-Anzani in a press conference announcing also the Dychangco Group of Companies (DGC) expansion of its businesses over the next few years.

The Garu showroom is the first retail arm of the DGC whose main line of business involves funeral services.