MSME conference scheduled today

THE micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) conference will open today at the Cebu City Sports Club.

“For Region 7 to soar higher, MSMEs should be upgraded; and to achieve this, interfacing among key stakeholders needs to be encouraged,” said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Cebu Provincial Office Director Nelia Navarro.

The conference is being organized in partnership with the Private Sector Promotion (SMEDSEP) Program of the DTI 7, German International Cooperation (GIZ), and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI).

The conference is being held in line with CCCI’s annual celebration of Cebu Business Month .

Organizers said the conference will provide a venue for priority sectors, such as ICT-enabled services; Creatives-artisinal and crafts; tourism; health and wellness, to share their vision, strategic objectives and development strategies.

The conference is seen to be a venue to generate support from enablers such as the business membership organizations, academe, LGUS, national line agencies and other development partners in terms of programs or policies.

The opening ceremony will be led by CCCI president Prudencio Gesta. Key note messages will be delivered by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama; SMEDSEP program manager Volker Steigerwald, and DTI 7 Director Asteria Caberte.

The Philippine’s MSME development framework will be presented by the director of DTI’s Bureau of Micro, Small and Medium Development. A presentation of the different economic drivers of the region will be done by National Economic and Development Authority 7 assistant regional director Efren Carreon. Navarro will discuss market orientation and market system development.

Navarro said the synergy roadmaps, summarized support portfolio and commitments to the sectors’ development will be presented by the provincial SMED council officers. For Cebu, it will be presented by CBM 2012 chairman Mario Panganiban.

“The conference is also proof that public-private partnership in the region works well. We create the synergy, we craft our destiny. We soar higher,” she said. (PR)