ANGELES CITY -- Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said Thursday that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) here will continue to reap financial and technical support through partnerships with his Propel Foundation and the local business chambers in the country.

Pangilinan stated this as he reiterated his support to the SMEs during the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (MACCI) general membership meeting and forum at the Batis Asul Resort here.

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The senator, who was guest of honor in the event, said SMEs continue to be the lifeblood sector that kept local industries afloat amid the global crisis.

“SMEs should continue to develop and graduate into big enterprises. This results into a ripple effect. If the business grows, so does the possibility of new jobs and development of local market needs,” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan’s Propel Foundation recently partnered with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in providing assistance to SMEs through the help of local business chambers.

He also urged MACCI to continue helping businesses here in developing marketing ideas, product designs and creating demand for local products to further help SMEs.

“We should encourage our people not to be slaves in other countries but to become businessmen. Our overseas workers, if they have earned enough, should return here and put up their own business,” Pangilinan said.

Some P75 million had been initially released to the chambers that would create programs and technical support based on the needs of local enterprises.

MACCI president Marco Nepomuceno told Sun.Star that they are set to receive P1 million for the establishment of a design center for businesses here.