To promote, support, and strengthen the growth and development of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in all productive sectors of the economy, the Department of Trade and Industry Region 4-A hosted a Special Organizational Meeting of the CALABARZON Regional MSME Development Council on 15 March 2018 in Calamba City, Laguna.
“MSMEs are the engine of economic growth. That’s why before going up, they should already be capacitated for them to be globally competitive, resilient, sustainable, and innovative,” said DTI Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Director Jerry T. Clavesillas.
Clavesillas tackled the MSME Development Plan 2017-2022 Framework with business environment, business capacity, and business opportunities as focus areas. The plan serves as the scheme for the convergence of initiatives adopted and implemented by different stakeholders towards the growth and development of the MSME sector in the Philippines.
“The strategic goals are improved business climate, improved access to finance, enhanced management and labor capacities, improved access to technology and innovation, and improved access to market,” added Clavesillas.
The framework also takes into consideration global issues and provides cross-cutting strategies such as to expand MSME assistance centers, promote women and youth entrepreneurship,
strengthen the role of the local government units, maximize opportunities in the digital and Internet economy, and promote green growth.
On the other hand, some of the important points discussed during the meeting were: the Resolution to Adapt MSMED Council Resolution No. 04 Series of 2016, “Approving the Organization and Institutionalization of the Regional MSMED Councils,” where the Regional Council is chaired by the DTI Regional Director and Co-Chaired by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Resolution to Adapt MSMED Council Resolution No. 04 Series of 2017,”Approving the Revised Terms of Reference of the Provincial MSMED Council in line with the Republic Act 10644: Go Negosyo Act,” where the Provincial Council Chair is the President of any active MSME organization in the province and co-chaired by the Provincial Government Representative; election of Council Officers and identification of possible Officers and Members; and the schedule for the submission of the 2017-2022 Provincial MSME Development Plan.
The participants in the meeting were the DTI-BSMED, Department of Agriculture 4-A, Provincial Cooperative, Livelihood, and Entrepreneurial Development Office, Development Bank of the Philippines, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, National Economic Development Authority 4-A, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and SB Corporation.
“Through the Regional MSME Development Council, we aim to coordinate and work closely with different agencies and sectors to address the needs of our MSMEs and to help bring them into the economic mainstream,” said DTI CALABARZON Director Marilou Q. Toledo.♦
Date of release: 15 March 2018