Entrepreneurs gather in Bohol congress

BOHOL, Philippines – Micro-Small Medium entrepreneurs from all over Central Visayas yesterday convened at the Bohol Tropics Hotel in Tagbilaran City for the opening of the Regional Micro-Small Medium Enterprise Congress.

The two-day seminar workshop, which is well attended by different local government units and government agencies in the region, aims to discuss concerns and improvements in their respective businesses.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) Regional Director Asteria Caberte said the MSME Congress aims to provide ways for the people to collaborate and exchange ideas as well as formulate measures on how to cope with issues concerning the industry.

The Congress is one way of recognizing the relevance of the MSMEs in the business sector considering its vital contribution to the entire industry.    

Caberte said that they are targeting for a 32 percent growth increase with gross valued added by 2010 or an 8.3 percent increase per annum.

Meanwhile, Caberte said that although they missed the 16 percent targeted export growth last year, they remain hopeful to attain a significant growth with the help of different approaches that they have come up with like enterprise, sector and broad based approaches.

She explained that an enterprise approach would mean providing comprehensive and focused support to enhance managerial and technological skills while the sector approach would promote sustained operations through directed services.

Further, broad based approach would be on improving the access of SME to financing and promote an enabling business environment.

This would also help improve the implementation of SME policies and regulations and improve access to programs for capacity building.

Caberte, furthermore, unveiled the accomplishments in 2008 such as the skills training program wherein they conduct massive training for participants under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program.

Moreover, DTI also has business counselors posted in priority SME centers in the region, Labor productivity education programs, value chain studies for priority sectors and capability training for LGUs.

Meanwhile, also in line with the celebration of the “Sandugo Festival” and the holding of the “Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan”, the “One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) Trade Fair” is also ongoing at the Island Mall in Tagbilaran City.

Caberte said the OTOP Trade fair, which has around 80 participants, already gained considerable exposure since its opening last June 22 from both local and foreign buyers. —AJ de la Torre