A Philippines archdiocese is resurrecting a trade fair to help boost small businesses as part of its 300 year anniversary celebration of its devotion to Our Lady of Penafrancia.

Caceres archdiocese’s “Bishop Francisco Gainza Trade Fair” aims to give small enterprises a “fighting chance” against “big players” said Monsignor Nelson Tria, head of the fair’s executive committee.

“We want to give local entrepreneurs the opportunity to promote their products,” said the parish priest of San Francisco Parish in Naga City.

The committee in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry will launch the 12-day trade fair on Sept. 9 outside the SM City mall in Naga City.

Participants will include entrepreneurs from the Bicol region in Camarines Sur Province.

On show will be stands involving food processing, tourism services, organic and natural product development and religious souvenir items.

Daily raffles, skills training workshops and cultural presentations will also be staged, as well as a Peñafrancia Exhibit with historical photographs depicting the devotion to the Virgin Mary.

The fair is named after Bishop Francisco Gainza who organized the first trade fair in the 1870’s.

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