25 April 2018

Published also in Business Mirror

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is pushing innovative packaging and branding for micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) products as the agency launched its newest initiative: “Pack! Pinas, an MSME Packaging Roadshow.”

“MSMEs rely heavily on packaging as a means—and sometimes the only way—to advertise their products. Innovative packaging can spell the difference between a product that sells and one that’s left on the shelf,” Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said.

Pack! Pinas is a free event where MSMEs can learn the latest market trends and emerging opportunities in product enhancement, as well as packaging solutions. Likewise, visitors meet government agencies and companies that can assist in designing, branding and marketing their products.

The road show aims to reach MSMEs in the regions and will consist of three events situated in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

The road show will visit the Visayas on May 3 and 4 at the Summit Hotel Tacloban; Mindanao on May 16 and 17 at Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro; and in Luzon on May 29 and 30 at San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

“We always encourage our MSMEs to innovate. And through this kind of event, we link them to industry experts in packaging and help them get their products to be more attractive to consumers, not just locally but also abroad,” Lopez added.

Aside from the DTI, private-sector partners will also share their expertise in Pack! Pinas. MGM Food and Commodities Corp., San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp. (SMYPC), Fedrigoni Asia Ltd., and Norde Philippines will hold seminars in the Visayas and Mindanao legs.

Norde is also partnering with Laguna Food Processors Association to provide affordable high-quality digital printing services. Meanwhile, SMYPC is exploring the idea of investing in generic mold canisters for MSMEs, and setting up a common-use digital printing facility

Pack! Pinas is co-organized and supported by the MSME Development Council, the Design Center of the Philippines, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, the Philippine Trade Training Center, the Department of Science and Technology-Industrial Technology Development Institute, the Food and Drug Administration and the Packaging Institute of the Philippines.