The council meeting was held 9 February 2022 to discuss activities conducted for 2021 and lay down plans for 2022. The council meeting was presided by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 6 Regional Director (RD) Rebecca M. Rascon, as the Chair of the Regional Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) Council.

Present during the council meeting were the Aklan SMED Council Chair Josefina Lucille de la Cruz, Capiz SMED Council Chair Danilo So Chan, Iloilo SMED Council Chair Valerie Maravilla, Negros Occidental SMED Chair Ma. Antoinette S. Colmenares, OIC Chief of Business Development Division, OIC Chief of Industry Development Division, DTI Provincial Focal Persons of different programs, and DTI Staff assisting SMED Council in the provinces.

During the council meeting, the body was presented with the following DTI Region 6 programs where they can anchor or integrate into their policies:
1) Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMIC)
2) Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP)
3) Disability Towards Inclusivity Program for PWD MSMEs/Enterprises and Youth
4) Industry Cluster Enhancement Program (ICE)

During the opening speech, RD Rebecca M. Rascon encouraged all the councils to strengthen their policies for the MSMEs and create provincial developmental activity flagships that are unique in their respective provinces. The Council is primarily responsible for the promotion, growth and development of small and medium enterprises in the country by way of facilitating and closely coordinating national efforts to promote the viability and growth of small and medium enterprises, including assisting relevant agencies in the tapping of local and foreign funds for small and medium enterprise development, as well as promoting the use of existing guarantee programs. (see: Sec. 6 of Republic Act No. 6977) ♦

Date of Release: 14 March 2022