Wednesday, July 25, 2007 Smedsep study cites Cebu’s potential in medical tourism
WITH the extension of technical aid to small and medium businesses in Cebu, the German-funded Small and Medium Enterprise Development for Sustainable Employment Program (Smedsep) will focus on assisting the local medical tourism industry as a component of its value chain approach (VCA) for tourism.
“We want Visayas to catch up with Luzon,” said German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) Visa-yas coordinator Volker Steigerwald.
An initial VCA review found Cebu’s potentials to be in the health, wellness and medical tourism sectors while that of Bohol and Siquijor are in eco-tourism.
The potentials of Oriental Negros are in educational tourism, said Steigerwald.
Rita Pilarca, Smedsep regional coordinator for Central Visayas, said the organization will tap German experts and local stakeholders who will compose the study team that will analyze the entire tourism chain of the Visayas.
Interventions
“We will be sending international consultants who will propose interventions to these sectors. We will link all the players to maximize the market,” said Pilarca.
The VCA study will identify issues and trends of the sector as well as recommendations from the industry stakeholders themselves, said Steiger-wald.
He added that the study, which aims to be a role model for service development among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Visayas, is projected to be completed within two to three months.
As of press time, Steigerwald said Smedsep has not yet tap stakeholders in the local medical tourism sector but he is optimistic that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7 will help the program get stakeholders to compose the team.
Pilarca said that through private sector organizations and business development service providers, Smedsep will extend technological assistance and capacity-building programs to SMEs.
Challenges
Smedsep is a joint project of the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), DTI and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
It aims to address the challenges that SMEs in Cebu and Oriental Negros are facing today.
It also aims to enable public and private institutions, including business support organizations, to create favorable business conditions to develop entrepreneurial potential and encourage competition.
During its first phase, Smedsep identified information and communication technology as a potential factor for Cebu.
Smedsep 2, now geared towards tourism development, began last September 2006 and will end in August 2009. Smedsep in Cebu will end in August 2011.
Last Monday, Smedsep, together with DTI and GTZ, signed a memorandum of agreement with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Leaders Link, Life Essence for Achievement and Development, and Interface Computer College to formalize their continued cooperation in Central Visayas.
In line with this, Smedsep inaugurated its Cebu office at LDM building at the corner of Legaspi St. and M.J. Cuenco Ave., Cebu City.
“Setting this office marks full speed ahead for Smedsep in Cebu,” said DTI 7 Director Asteria Caberte. (MMM)
