DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Four major business ventures were closed and explored during the two-day Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Association of Southeast Asian Nations Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Expo conducted in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah recently.

In its report by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) XI, business ventures for One Town One Product (OTOP) small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the following: Possible setting up of a Philippine product store in Kota Kinabalu; Philippines to supply Sabah with vacuum-packed milkfish sardines; Sabah to supply Mindanao with the needed organic fertilizer for aquaculture farming; and supply of native hand-woven bags and other handicrafts by a Davao City-based entrepreneur to Australia.

The exposition gave the Philippine representatives, who are from Mindanao and Palawan, an initial sales of at least R800,000.

DTI 11 Chief for Management Support and Special Concerns Division (MSSCD) Romeo L. Castañaga said the Philippine participation to the BIMP-EAGA expo 2011 was highlighted by the OTOP special pavilion which showcased the exciting products of the 59 SMEs representing the country.