Building on the success of its last year’s first online edition, 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 (PTTC), will conduct the National MSME Week (NMW) 2021 on 2-6 August 2021 via Zoom online platform.

The celebration of the NMW 2021 is a free, five-day virtual experience that will feature various perspectives and insights on various topics to help our nation’s MSMEs in transitioning towards a “better normal” future. 

“Through the celebration of this year’s National MSME Week, we want to showcase the efforts of Duterte Administration, together with the help of the private sector, in ensuring a safe and vibrant economic business arena, especially for the MSMEs to recover and prepare for strong rebound in the next years to come,” DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said.

The theme adopted this year is “Makabagong MSMEs, Bagong Pag-asa Laban sa Pandemya” which underscores the need for both public and private sectors’ response measures to minimize the negative impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on MSMEs. These include policies and initiatives put in place to support and enhance MSME viability, resiliency, and sustainability. 

One of the main highlights of this year’s MSME week celebration will focus on the Duterte Administration’s accomplishments for the MSME in pursuit of the 2017-2022 MSME Development Plan’s five strategic goals all covering improvements in the business climate, access to finance, management and labor capacities, access to technology and innovation, and access to market.

As the country builds back better from the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, the NMW 2021 will be a great avenue to know one of the major legacies of the Duterte Administration’s “Ramdam na Malasakit sa mga Maliliit na Kabuhayan.” 

The event will be graced by MSMEDC Chair and DTI Secretary Lopez who will deliver the opening remarks, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship, Mr. Jose Ma. Concepcion III who will provide a report of the private sector, and President Roa Rodrigo Duterte who will give a message of support for the Filipino MSMEs.

The week-long activities will be conducted via the Zoom online platform and will be streamed via Facebook Live of DTI Philippines Facebook page: 

Other NMW 2021 side activities include the PTTC Webinars for the NMW 2021 and the OTOP National Virtual Trade Fair 2021.

The PTTC webinars will offer various topics on Upskilling and Re-skilling: Accessing Online Learning Platforms, Building Resilient MSMEs through Financial Inclusion, 3R for HR: Recharge, Recalibrate, Reset, Improving Access to Technology and Innovation of Food Business Operations, and Launching of the Philippine Skills Framework for Business Development.

The OTOP National Virtual Trade Fair 2021 is an online marketing opportunity which will showcase OTOP products from all over the regions. This will be graced and be given message of inspiration from First Lady Honeylet Avanceña and Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. Senator Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel and Magsasaka Party List House Representative Hon. Argel Joseph Cabatbat were also invited to give their message of inspiration.

To be part of the NMW 2021 celebration and PTTC webinars, please fill up the registration form thru this link: https://bit.ly/MSMEWeek2021Register.

For the OTOP National Virtual Trade Fair, please visit and register at www.virtualtradeexpoph.com.   

For other inquiries, you may email bsmed@dti.gov.ph. ♦

Date of Release: 30 July 2021