Aklan fiber fest on April 22 to 30

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

In celebration of the 57^th anniversary of Aklan, the 14^th Pina and Fiber Festival opens on April 22 at The Trade Hall of the Provincial Capitol Grounds. 

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has partnered with the provincial government of Aklan, Hugod Aklanon Producers Association Inc., Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA), Aklan Pina  and Other Indigenous Fibers Manufacturers and Traders Association, Inc.  and  the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. to showcase the design and artistry of Aklanons and the best pina and other fiber products of exhibitors from Aklan.

With “Scaling Unlimited Possibilities” as its theme, the annual festival features daily exhibits, abaca crafts and weaving skill demonstration, special products exhibitions of abaca and bamboo products from April 22 to 30 and  “Aninag”  the fiber fiber fashion accessories fashion show on April 24 by renowned international lifestyle designer PJ Aranador.

DTI will hold also an Aklan Investment Conference (ICon) on April 30 at the Gov. Corazon L.  Cabagnot Tourism and Training Center to promote industry sectors on livestock and poultry, abaca, pangasius, fruits and vegetables and coco coir as investment opportunities for existing and would-be investors.

Six Manila-based buyers and consolidators – DLM Fine Crafts, Balikbayan Handicraft, EMM Exports, Rustans, Angelique Fine Craft and Island Accents will be also in town for a two-day product sourcing mission on April 29 to 30.

DTI Secretary Gregory Domingo and DTI Regional Operations and Development Group Undersecretary Merly M. Cruz are expected to attend the Aklan Icon 2013, the first in Aklan and in Western Visayas. 

Other activities include the launching of the Shared Service Facilities on Abaca Handloom and a lecture on Doing Business in Japan by the Bureau of Export Trade Promotion (BETP).

The festival is one of the highlights of the 57^th anniversary of separation of Aklan from the province of Capiz on April 25, a special non-working holiday in the whole province of Aklan.