AROUND 250 exhibitors from the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga) and The Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) are expected to join the international trade fair in Davao City on October 23 to 26, 2014.

Romeo Montenegro, Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) director of investment promotions and public affairs, on Thursday said the 2nd BIMP-Eaga and IMT-GT Trade Fair and Business Leaders' Conference will be held at the SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang Premier.

"Majority of the exhibitors are agriculture related. Although, we are also looking into having exhibits on other investment opportunities within the area other than agriculture like trade and tourism," he said.

Montenegro said they are closely coordinating with the secretariats of BIMP-Eaga and IMT-GT as to who will be participating in the four-day event.

This is the first time that the Philippines will be hosting the event which is also in time for the 20th year celebration of BIMP-Eaga¡¯s creation.

The event, dubbed as ¡°Realizing the Opportunities of Asean Integration, "will provide a "strategic venue for exhibitors, business leaders, as well as key and private sector representatives from the two sub-regions and its development partners to forge greater partnerships, and realize the opportunities of Asean integration."

This also "seeks to broaden the platform for showcase of unique products and services while seizing the possibilities of exploring and tapping new market links within and outside Asean."

Aside from the trade fair, they are also expecting some 700 business leaders from BIMP-Eaga, IMT-GT, and partner countries who will attend the Business Leaders' Conference on October 23.

There will also be buyers-sellers matching, technology seminars, ICT Summit and Technology Expo 2014, Street Food Festival, BIMP-Eaga and IMT-GT Film Festival, and a Friendship Golf Tournament.

MinDA will sit on top of the organizing committee in partnership with Mindanao Business Council Inc. (MBC), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the City Government of Davao.