Following a relaunch, gifts, decor and houseware (GDH) sector stakeholders are developing a website for their unified brand, Ma’i, as they regain foothold of the global marketplace and sustain industry growth.

Agnes Roxas, Board of Investments (BOI) sectoral champion for GDH, said they are finalizing a conceptual model for an interactive website that will involve direct linkage to buyers both local and export, supply sources and distribution channels, among others.

Roxas noted such initiative aims to further strengthen the Ma’i goal of uniting the GDH industries nationwide by pooling together skills, resources, and talents.

“We are currently looking for a partner to help bankroll this project as we believe in its potential as an effective development tool especially for MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) in the sector,” she said.

Roxas further said the Ma’i brand is expected to boost earnings of the sector as industry players seek to build the brand as a “seal of excellence”.

“Initial efforts are being made to ensure compliance with standards and business practices. The seal of excellence is expected to apply on both member firms as well as product offerings,” she noted.

Roxas said they are in the process of drafting and finalizing the criteria for accreditation.

“We have very ambitious goals but we hope that in the spirit of Ma’i, the GDH industry will have the passion to move forward and realize its dream of being able to significantly contribute to inclusive growth and economic development of the nation,” she added.

Relaunched during the Manila FAME last April, Ma’i was founded by a diverse group of award-winning designers, artisans and accomplished entrepreneurs, as they bring Filipino craftsmanship to the global stage.