ASEAN 2017: DTI Pushes Integration of MSMEs in the Global Market through ASEAN 2017

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has pushed for the integration of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the global market through ASEAN 2017 economic fora, according to DTI Camarines Norte Senior Trade and Development Specialist Alvin R. Sayno during the “Talakayan sa PIA on Air” radio program here.

Sayno said that the integration of the MSMEs is one of the agenda pursued by the Philippine government, represented by DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez, during ASEAN 2017 economic forum activities in the country.

Sayno said that the government wanted to increase investments in neighboring countries involving MSMEs in the global competition.

He said that the focus is to include grassroots or MSMEs in the development of our economy.

He said that 99.6 percent of businesses in the country are MSMEs which contributed to the 2/3 of employment and 2/3 of our economy.

Along this line, the DTI at the local level is strengthening MSMEs through the promotion of former program One Town One Product (OTOP) which is now level up into OTOP Next Generation under the new administration.

The OTOP Next Generation objectives are to alleviate poverty through the promotion of profitable goods and services, thereby developing MSMEs creating jobs and stimulating local and international trade.

DTI offers comprehensive package empowering MSMEs through product development, online marketing, standard compliance and training.

In Camarines Norte among the OTOP of the towns are pineapple food and beverage in Basud, pili and pili pineapple-based products in Daet, pineapple fiber products in Labo, jewelry in Jose Pangniban and Paracale, processed marine products in Mercedes and Vinzons, pineapple beverage in San Lorenzo Ruiz, coconut and pineapple and coconut fiber in San Vicente, coconut in Sta Elena, hand woven products in Talisay and fresh and processed mudcrab in Capalonga.

“The OTOP Next Generation also goes hand on hand with “Go Lokal” program of the DTI for all quality products and affordable products for domestic market like malls, enchanted kingdom chains and other outlets,” he said.

This is also supported by the Negosyo Centers which were already established at the DTI office and also in the towns of Daet, Mercedes, Jose Panganiban and Labo. DTI provides funding for the establishment at the local government units with manpower called Business Councilor.

Negosyo Centers are responsible for promoting ease of doing business and facilitating access to services for MSMEs within its jurisdiction like business registration assistance, business advisory services, business information and advocacy, monitoring and evaluation and other related functions.

The DTI also supports MSMEs through “Kapatid Angat sa Lahat” wherein one of these is Mentor Me Program to help them scale up their businesses thru the weekly coaching and monitoring by business entrepreneurship which is being held at the Negosyo Centers nationwide.

Another program under “Kapatid Angat sa Lahat” is the Shared Service Facilities (SSF) which aims to improve the competitiveness of MSMEs by providing them with machinery, equipment, and tool, under the shared system.

The SSF is being implemented nationwide with project partners termed as cooperatives.

Also along this is an inclusive business, a sustainable business that benefits low-income communities. It is a business initiative that keeping its for-profit nature, contributes to poverty reduction through the inclusion of low income communities in its value chain.

DTI PIO Gary P. Rafanan on the other hand said that they are also protecting the MSMEs in facing the digital world using the internet in dealing with the local and international transactions through capability building.

He also cited activities conducted of the DTI in connection with the Women’s Month Celebration this March like Rural Women Training on Water Lily Handicraft in Barangay Gubat in Daet, Seminar on Food Processing and Packaging, Janahs Pasalubong participation in Great Women Project Trade Fair in Manila and the upcoming Starting Your Business for Women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) on March 31. (MAL/RBM-PIA5/Camarines Norte)