THE City Government of General Santos and the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Small and Medium Enterprise Development (Smed) Council successfully opened the Yaman Gensan 2009 last week at the Gaisano Mall Atrium.

Now on its seventh year, Yaman Gensan has evolved from just a simple event into a major activity of the city, which every General has to look forward every year, City Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. said during the opening ceremonies.

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"Yaman Gensan is conceptualized to be a program where we recognize the micro small and medium enterprises. It's about celebrating the success of businesses. For the past years, we have been recognizing MSMEs that have contributed a lot in the economy of Gensan. In the past, it is just a simple recognition of the efforts of our businessmen, but it has already evolved from a simple activity into a major event of the city," Acharon said.

The city mayor said that activities of Yaman Gensan have also improved with the inclusion of several trainings and seminars that are conducted for free. These seminars and trainings help improve the capability of businessmen whether small, micro, or medium-sized enterprises.

"Every year, Yaman Gensan is improving. Today, it is not only a simple celebration, but it is a celebration of victory that we were able to continue the economy of General Santos because through this activity, we create more opportunities for employment, we create new businessmen, and we create income for our people. I am very happy to note that Yaman Gensan helps us create a more livable and Magandang GenSan," Acharon said.

Among the activities of Yaman Gensan 2009 are the Car Mania '09, Yaman Gensan Diskwento Caravan, Franchising Fair, Yaman Gensan Fair: Crops and Crafts, Jobs Fair, the 7th Vegetable Congress and Exhibit, Health, Beauty & Wellness Expo '09, Yaman Gensan Fashion Show, Yaman Awards, and the Young Entrepreneurs Fair.

Meanwhile, about 20 seminars and 21 skills/techno transfer trainings were lined up from June 23 to July 22, 2009 for the Yaman Gensan celebration this year. (Joy Romares-Sevilla)