MSMEs Empowered at First W.Visayas Biz Conference

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Over 300 micro, small and medium enterprises in Western Visayas gained access to resources, partnerships and strategic initiatives during the region’s first-ever business conference and expo.

The two-day Western Visayas Business Conference and Expo, held July 1 to 2, was led by the Economic Development Committee of the Regional Development Council.

The event brought together government agencies, industry leaders and MSMEs to promote economic resilience and competitiveness.

Committee chair Atty. Jobert Peñaflorida said the conference served as a vital platform for business connection and regional development.

“We hope that this legacy project is something that the next set of RDC leaders will pursue and build on,” Peñaflorida said.

“Our goal is that we prosper together.”

Department of Trade and Industry Region 6 Director Rachel Nufable said the conference aimed to boost collaboration and spark partnerships that would help MSMEs grow and shape the region’s economic future.

“We want to ensure that our potential and existing MSMEs have access to the tools, services and networks they need not just to survive but to thrive,” she said.

She added that the event reflected a unified business community in Western Visayas—one that values synergy and shared goals.

Nufable stressed that empowering MSMEs will help generate quality jobs and competitive products for both local and global markets.

Peñaflorida also welcomed the idea of a business caravan to bring government services closer to MSMEs and other stakeholders across the region.

He said there is strong potential for the conference to become an annual event, with future editions focusing on digitalization, e-commerce, franchising and financing.