DTI to intensify development of micro SMEs

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry’s regional operations group (ROG) has vowed to step up efforts this year for the advancement of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.

ROG supervising Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said the group intends to surpass its 2015 accomplishments by pursuing initiatives for uplifting the MSMEs and by continuing to raise the bar of service to the public.

“The ROG will continue to support MSMEs in facing challenges concerning business environment, productivity and efficiency, and access to finance and market as we continually strive to improve our brand of service to the public,” she said.

Maglaya said initiatives on focusing on MSMEs would result to more entrepreneurs, employment, and inclusive growth for the country.

“We are proud to inform the public that the ROG in 2015 has worked with tireless enthusiasm with various partner agencies to support the growth of MSMEs in the country, with the establishment of the ever-increasing number of launched Negosyo Centers, established shared service facilities and implemented bottom-up budgeting projects,” she said.

Maglaya said as a result of various initiatives and interventions in promoting and fostering for industry development nationwide, the six national priority industry clusters, which are predominantly agriculture-based industries, have contributed significant outcome in terms of bottomline indicators.

The six priority industry clusters are rubber, coco coir, coffee, cacao, processed fruits and nuts, and tourism support industries.

As of the third quarter of  2015, Maglaya said a total of P1.72 billion in investments and P2.62 billion in domestic sales were generated from the six national priority industry clusters, surpassing the annual targets by 135 percent and 144 percent, respectively.

“In 2016, the industry clustering strategy will be continued to be mainstreamed by DTI  with new additional identified priority sectors to bring the development to the countryside,” Maglaya said.

The ROG has also established a total of 144 Negosyo Centers as of December 2015, exceeding the target of 100 Negosyo Centers for 2015.

“The centers are geared towards promoting the ease of doing business facilitating access to services for MSMEs, including business registration assistance, business advisory services, business information and advocacy as well as access to market linkages,” Maglaya said.