WFTO Asia Fair Trade B2B Virtual Expo 2023

Connecting Asian Producers to the Global Market

*Please choose to register in one of the above dates, as the event will be conducted as a repeat session to suit audiences in different time zones.

THEME

The WFTO Asia is proud to present the first 2023 Fair Trade B2B Virtual Exposition with the theme: Fair Trade – Embracing Innovation and Transformation.

As the world continues to evolve, WFTO Asia aims to reinvent itself to keep up with the times. That’s why, this year’s B2B Virtual Expo centers on the idea of innovation and transformation – marrying age-old traditions and practices to the needs of the current consumer market. Despite adversity and constraints, our Fair Trade Enterprises are adapting and creating products that are not only sustainable; they are a reflection of their culture, their beliefs, and their story. This initiative is also in line with the commitment of WFTO Asia and other Social Enterprise networks in the region to assist Social Enterprises in their recovery efforts and in building-back fairer through Decent Work for All in Sustainable Value Chains.

This January 2023 Fair Trade B2B Virtual Expo will have a unique feature as it will include exciting wide range of Fair Trade product collections from Guaranteed Fair Trade Enterprises including the WFTO Asia member participants in the Designing New Creative in Commerce (DNCC) under the Asia Fair Trade Centre of Excellence as well as selected Social Enterprises in the region. These products are uniquely crafted by different Asian producers and skilled artisans. From home to fashion accessories, small gifts, toys and decor, and more – the Producers have skillfully handpicked and handmade these products with their consumers and the planet on their minds and we cannot wait to show them all to you.

PARTICIPANTS

The Virtual B2B Expo aims to focus on putting together producers and buyers into one room to discuss business. The participants are WFTO Asia member producers, FT and Commercial buyers, ethical buyers, business-support organizations, country networks, social enterprises in Asia as well as FT advocates and supporters across the region and the globe.

PRODUCER DIRECTORY

Check out the list of selected participating Guaranteed Fair Trade and Social Enterprises which will be featuring a wide array of ethical, artisan-made products.

Food

Fashion & Accessories

Small Gifts, Toys & Decors

Home & Lifestyle

EVENT SCHEDULE

Day 1: 16 January, 2023
9-11 AM (GMT+7) via zoom

Time	Activity
9:00 – 9:10 AM	Introduction
9:10 – 9:15 AM	Opening Remarks
9:15 – 9:35 AM	Session #1 Food LA PLANTATION Bote Central Inc Mae Hong Son Sang Pa Sang Rai Dai Enterprise Fashion & Accessories CFM Market Linkages Pvt Ltd Women’s Skills Development Organization — Q&A Session 1 —
9:35 – 9:40 AM	BREAK
9:40 – 10:00 AM	Session #2 Small Gifts, Toys & Decors SALAY HANDMADE PRODUCTS IND., INC. (SHAPII) CHILDREN-Nepal HDIF Trading LLC Hatale Udhyog Pvt ltd Rian Impex Pvt ltd — Q&A Session 2 —
10:00 – 10:05 AM	BREAK
10:05 – 10:30 AM	Session #3 Home & Lifestyle Last Forest Enterprises Classical Handmade Products BD Ltd. SIPA FAIR TRADE New SADLE Mahaguthi Craft with Conscience MESH — Q&A Session 3 —
10:30 – 10:35 AM	Closing Remarks

Day 2: 18 January, 2023
5-7 PM (GMT+7) via zoom

Time	Activity
5:00 – 5:10 PM	Introduction
5:10 – 5:15 PM	Opening Remarks
5:15 – 5:35 PM	Session #1 Food LA PLANTATION Bote Central Inc Mae Hong Son Sang Pa Sang Rai Dai Enterprise Fashion & Accessories CFM Market Linkages Pvt Ltd Women’s Skills Development Organization — Q&A Session 1 —
5:35 – 5:40 PM	BREAK
5:40 – 6:00 PM	Session #2 Small Gifts, Toys & Decors SALAY HANDMADE PRODUCTS IND., INC. (SHAPII) CHILDREN-Nepal HDIF Trading LLC Hatale Udhyog Pvt ltd Rian Impex Pvt ltd — Q&A Session 2 —
6:00 – 6:05 PM	BREAK
6:05 – 6:30 PM	Session #3 Home & Lifestyle Last Forest Enterprises Classical Handmade Products BD Ltd. SIPA FAIR TRADE New SADLE Mahaguthi Craft with Conscience MESH — Q&A Session 3 —
6:30 – 6:35 PM	Closing Remarks

OBJECTIVES

The Fair Trade B2B Virtual Exposition aims to provide a platform to showcase products from our Fair Trade Enterprises in Asia, and to gain access and network with potential wholesale buyers from Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, and other continents. The event will feature the participating enterprises’ work – demonstrate their thought processes and important steps leading to the creation of their products as well as to tell their incredible stories.

Through this, Fair Trade and ethical buyers will be able to view high-quality products that are produced by our Fair Trade Enterprises in Asia, and increase the channels of market visibility for our members.

1. Create an avenue/platform for the WFTO Asia members/producers to sell their products and pitch to invited buyers across the globe.
2. Mobilize producers of WFTO Asia to explore new market opportunities virtually.
3. Gather substantial & potential buyers of Fair Trade products across the globe.
4. Mobilize and earn resources for future projects/initiatives of WFTO Asia and its members.

Fair Trade B2B Virtual Exposition: Connecting Asian Producers to the Global Market is anchored to the Strategic Thrust #3 of our Strategic Plan ’23 – otherwise known as Fair Trade Market Opportunities & Access and our Regional Business Collaboration efforts. This Virtual Exposition carries the same thrust with a parallel call to climate action and adapting Fair Trade Practices in business. Through the Virtual Exposition, connections will be made and strengthened with the producers’ and buyers’ ultimate goal to network and listen to pitches and talk about business.