The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Office 11, in coordination with the Regional MSME Development Council-Mindanao Chapter, led the staging of the Regional Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Conference 2017, last July 27-28 at Marco Polo Davao, which centered on the 7Ms framework of successful entrepreneurs.

DTI-Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BSMED) Director Jerry Clavesillas discussed the 7Ms framework – Mindset Change, Mastery, Mentoring, Market Access, Machines, Money and Models of Business – and presented the 2017 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit Action Plan.

“Entrepreneurial revolution must be adopted. This means that you are not only thinking about how to make your enterprise competitive, but also working to make others become more competitive as well,” he said.

Aside from the topics of Clavesillas, relevant issues like the adoption of Green Economic Development (GED) and Business Continuity Plan (BCP) will likewise form part of Day 1’s agenda.

DTI-Davao Regional Director Maria Belenda Ambi said these breakthrough goals – the GED and BCP – are now considered as ‘must-haves’ for MSMEs.

“These initiatives are very necessary for the MSMEs to sustain their development. We have invited successful entrepreneurs and practitioners to discuss these topics, so that they can clearly explain to the MSMEs how the GED and BCP have helped them improve their operation and made them become more competitive,” she said.

A Financing Forum was also held for MSMEs who are in need of additional working capital for their business to provide opportunity for MSMEs to access products and services from invited banks and other financing institutions.

Indigenous products, which underwent Screening, Assessment and Triage by the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP) and the Center for International Exposition and Mission (CITEM), were displayed at a mini exhibit area. These products are part of DTI’s new program called One Town One Product (OTOP) Next Gen.

The two-day event was participated by more than a hundred MSMEs from the six provinces of the region and members of their respective provincial MSME Development Councils.