DTI highlights MSME Resilience in Digital Economy during National MSME Week 2022

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (MSMEDC), through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in cooperation with the Philippine Trade and Training Center – Global MSME Academy (PTTC – GMEA), organized a 5-day virtual celebration of the National MSME Week 2022 (NMW 2022).

The week-long online activities of the NMW 2022, which were held on 11-15 July 2022 via Zoom and Facebook Livestream, is guided by the theme, “RISE MSMEs in the Digital Economy: Resilient, Innovative, Sustainable, and Empowered” which underscores MSME

resilience and how the pandemic highlighted the vital role of e-commerce in their entrepreneurial journey. It also featured how the government agencies and private sector are directing their efforts in steering the country towards a gradual and sustainable path to economic recovery.

“This year’s celebration of the National MSME Week is an affirmation of the government’s commitment to continue to help boost the Pinoy MSMEs to thrive and expand in an increasingly global and competitive e-commerce industry brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to empower the MSMEs and maximize their strength to become more competent and resilient as they embrace the opportunities and challenges the new and better normal,” said DTI Regional Operations Group (ROG) Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona.

Online info sessions were organized daily to feature various programs and initiatives being implemented by government and private sectors in order to achieve the five (5) strategic goals of the MSME Development Plan 2017-2022 on Business Climate, Access to Finance, Management and Labor Capacities, Technology and Innovation, and Access to Markets.

Day 1 featured the Philippine Business Hub (PBH, formerly known as Central Business Portal), a single site for all the business-related information which aims to streamline the registration of business, renewal of permits and other activities through online transactions. Further discussion on the PBH was provided by Undersecretary Ernesto Perez, the OIC and Deputy Director General for Operations of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA).

The session also highlighted the Negosyo Central Online Portal, various e-commerce audio-visual presentations (AVP), and a teaser video about the upcoming launch of the Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE) Online Registration System or BMBE-ONLINE where microentrepreneurs may register or renew their BMBE Certificate of Authority (CA) online anytime, anywhere.

Day 2 highlighted a webinar entitled, Innovation and Business Models for MSMEs which is presented and discussed by Mr. Josiah Go, the Chairman and Chief Innovation Strategist of Mansmith and Fielders Inc. Mr. Go emphasized the 11 business models that should be identified and followed by MSMEs in order to innovate their business operations and be ready for any challenges that the entrepreneurs may face.

This day also highlighted the Productivity Toolbox of the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) which provides training programs and technical assistance to improve the capability of enterprises and motivation them to adopt productivity technologies for continuous improvement toward enterprise development and growth.

On the third day of the NMW 2022, it featured the webinar conducted by Norde International Distributors and Accelerating Makers entitled Upscaling the Wearables Industry through Digital Fabrication (DigiFab). It presented the different digital fabrication technologies and how this support the design and product development of the wearables sector. With the changing global demands, finding fashion technology is essential in keeping the sector competitive.

Day 4 highlighted the new program of Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.), Resilient, Innovative and Sustainable Enterprises, Unleash your Powers (RISE UP), a loan program that aims to sustain the gains of MSMEs that have survived the past two years of crisis, by providing credit that have soft loan terms and can be easily accessed.

This program includes three financing programs for MSMEs, namely, including RISE UP Multi-Purpose (for all MSMEs including existing current borrowers of SB Corp.), RISE UP Turismo Loan (for MSMEs engaged in tourism activities regardless of accreditation), and RISE UP Tindahan Loan (for owners of sari-sari and retail stores, dealers and distributors under the network of partner FMCGs or the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods).

Lastly, Day 5 emphasized the importance of facilitating digitalization for MSMEs to access domestic and global markets. It showcased the ASEAN Access, an online portal serving as a first port of call for ASEAN SMEs and other businesses for information on trade and other opportunities for market access in the region. It also provides businesses interested in the ASEAN region with support services necessary to penetrate new markets.

The last day of NMW 2022 also featured the partnership between DTI and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation (PSPC) which aims to provide MSMEs and beneficiaries of the OTOP Program an additional physical channel and market access platform where OTOP products may be sold on a day-to-day basis. OTOP products in Shell Mobility Stations was piloted in Shell Marilao, Bulacan in Central Luzon last May 2021. With more than 1,000 Shell mobility stations nationwide, it aims to extend the project to the areas of NCR, CDO, Davao, Cebu, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna.

Pursuant to Magna Carta for MSMEs, the second week of July has been declared as National MSME Week in order to institute continuing awareness of the primacy of small business in nation-building and in people empowerment, and to celebrate and espouse the firm commitment of the State in the promotion, growth and development of small business.

More than 43,000 viewers online have participated and joined the discussion during the online celebration of the NMW 2022. To access the livestreamed videos, you may visit the DTI Philippines Facebook page.