DTI, SM launch Christmas bazaar for MSMEs

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and SM Supermalls have launched a Christmas bazaar to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) affected by the pandemic by providing free spaces in malls.

In a statement yesterday, the DTI said the SM Christmas Market Bazaar is intended to support local MSMEs facing challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis.

MSMEs that are part of the bazaar were nominated by DTI offices and given free selling spaces.

The bazaar will run until January 2021 in all 74 SM Supermalls nationwide.

Featured products range from hand-painted and hand-crafted home accessories to cosmetics and skincare essentials.

SM tenants that have local businesses are also part of the bazaar.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said MSMEs play an important role in the economy as they account for more than 99 percent of the total number of establishments in the country, as well as 62.4 percent of total employment.

“Because of this, they serve as our country’s economic backbone, even when they were also the most affected by the economic crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Lopez said.

He said the bazaar is timely as it provides an additional venue to sell products for the Christmas season.

In addition to providing support to MSMEs, the bazaar is also in line with the DTI’s Buy Local, Go Lokal campaign.

Through the campaign, the DTI is encouraging consumers to patronize local products and services to help Philippine businesses recover from the pandemic.