DTI, DHL partner to boost MSME export competitiveness

The Department of Trade and Industry has signed a memorandum of understanding with DHL Group Philippines to strengthen the global competitiveness of Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises.

The agreement was finalized on September 10, 2025, by DTI Export Marketing Bureau Director Bianca Pearl R. Sykimte and DHL executives Nigel Lockett, Yvonne Lee, and Bevan Williams at DHL’s Ortigas Service Center in Pasig City.

DHL will provide end-to-end trade solutions through its three business units: international express shipping and customs facilitation via DHL Express, freight forwarding by DHL Global Forwarding, and contract logistics and warehouse management under DHL Supply Chain.

The signing coincided with “Usapang Exports: Export 101 – Your Guide to Going Global with DHL Group,” an orientation session for food exporters held at the DHL Ortigas facility.

The event offered practical advice on trade processes and logistics solutions, marking the start of a series of initiatives under DHL GoTrade and the SME Capacity Building Program.

Planned activities include training workshops, one-on-one consultations, and market intelligence sharing to prepare MSMEs for overseas market entry.

“Our exporters, especially MSMEs, face many hurdles in going global, not just in producing quality products but also in navigating logistics, customs, and compliance requirements,” Sykimte said.

“This partnership with DHL gives them a direct line to the knowledge, tools, and network they need to compete abroad,” she added.

She emphasized sustainability and digital adoption as key drivers of the initiative, saying, “The future of trade is digital and sustainable. With DHL’s expertise, we can help MSMEs adapt to greener logistics solutions and digital tools that make cross-border trade more efficient.”

Nigel Lockett, DHL Express Philippines country managing director, said the partnership reaffirms the group’s commitment to helping Filipino businesses thrive.

“At DHL Group, we believe that every great product deserves a global audience,” Lockett said.

“Filipino MSMEs have the creativity, quality, and entrepreneurial spirit to thrive internationally—but they need the right support to overcome logistical and regulatory hurdles,” he added.

The DTI said the partnership reflects a whole-of-government and private-sector effort to create an enabling environment for exporters, especially smaller firms seeking to expand globally.

For more information on Philippine exports and trade opportunities, stakeholders may visit www.tradelinephilippines.dti.gov.ph.