Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7 Director Asteria Caberte said this will be the first Go Lokal! branch outside of Metro Manila and will be installed in the new wing of Ayala Center Cebu.
Go Lokal! is a retail concept store showcasing Philippine products crafted, designed, and produced by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“This will be a different concept. It will highlight our export-quality, high-end products,” said Caberte, adding that they target the ballooning tourism market, balikbayans and affluent society as potential buyers of top-tier Filipino-made products.
Go Lokal! carries everyday products made from indigenous materials that are modern in design, world-class in packaging, and competitively priced, including processed food, home decor, arts and crafts, health and wellness products, fashion apparel, accessories, and eco-friendly products.
These products undergo extensive product development with specialists from the Design Center of the Philippines to make them suitable for the retail, export, and souvenir markets.
Besides the upcoming Ayala Center Cebu branch, Caberte will reach out to the officials of the GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) for her plan to mount a stand- alone Go Lokal! at the Terminal 1 of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
“We will be talking to them mid-August about our proposed Go Lokal! branch in the domestic terminal,” said Caberte.
After the completion of Terminal 2, GMCAC will rehabilitate the domestic airport terminal to be consistent with its resort-themed airport.
Last March, DTI signed an agreement with Shopinas and Air 21 to provide an e-commerce platform for Go Lokal! products.
“This is a partnership on innovation, which is a key element in DTI’s thrust to support the (MSMEs). Through this platform, our MSMEs will be able to reach out a larger market beyond the boundaries of the country while maximizing their potential,” said DTI secretary Ramon Lopez in a statement.
A Go Lokal microsite will be available on Shopinas website that will feature MSME products. Items purchased on this platform will be delivered through Air 21.