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Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Biz group expands SME development program
THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country's largest business network of local chambers, industry and trade associations and corporate members, renewed its commitment to work with government to develop micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Among the major recommendations submitted to President Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo during the 31st Philippine Business Conference held last week at the Manila Hotel, the PCCI pushed for support programs to strengthen the country's MSMEs. They included:
* Fast-tracking implementation of an SME Surety Fund that will complement existing financial programs for MSMEs. The fund is envisioned to provide access by MSMEs to capital at more liberal terms, and will focus more on business viability rather than collateral.
* Release by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporatio (Pagcor) to the Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) Council of the remaining balance of P270 million for the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBE) Development Fund as per Republic Act (RA) 9178. The law provides for the establishment of the P300 million fund, the interest earnings of which can be used by the SMED Council to implement much-needed programs.
* Assistance for the SME sector to become more productive and globally-competitive through enhanced technology and better packaging in cooperation with the Department of Science and Technology (Dost).
* Improvement of Business Match-Ups Thru Internet (under Project Bumuti) to expand the market for SMEs thru the Internet.
PCCI president Donald Dee said the programs "will further boost the competitiveness of local enterprises." Dee added that while the country has lagged behind its neighbors in helping the MSME sector become globally competitive, "there is still great potential for local entrepreneurs because of the country's inherent natural and human resources."
This is the reason why the PCCI has adopted as an anchor program "Promoting Regional Opportunities for Enterprise and Livelihood (Propel) Development," a model tripartite initiative of Senate Majority Leader Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the PCCI.
Senator Pangilinan said "to ensure a more widespread and equitable distribution of economic growth, we have to bring opportunities and competencies to untapped areas in the country, particularly the countryside." He added that "a project such as Propel Development is a prime example of how the Priority Development Assistance Fund (Pdaf) that comes from the people goes back directly to the people. At the same time, the tripartite project is a good model for showcasing the tremendous potential of public-private sector partnership."
Propel is envisioned to help spur economic activities in 20 pilot provinces in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in support of the government's poverty alleviation and job creation thrusts through active partnership among local government units, local chambers, line agencies and other community stakeholders.
This project is also in line with the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) 2004-2010 and the SME Development Plan 2004-2010.
Specifically, Propel aims to organize viable community-based business ventures that will give additional sources of income to farmers, fisherfolk and residents of identified communities. Community-based business ventures are entrepreneurial activities which will be initiated or assisted by local chambers that will benefit the community by generating employment and livelihood opportunities; providing additional sources of income; and providing cheaper basic products.
The PCCI will likewise put in motion transformation initiatives to promote the values of savings and investments; quality and productivity consciousness; and work ethics.
In the spirit of public sector-private sector partnership, local chambers are likewise encouraged under Propel to work with their local government counterparts to streamline ways of doing business and improving the local policy environment for MSMEs. It includes the issuance of business permits and licenses; development of business databases and other information technology (IT) application; and advocacy for the implementation of the BMBE Law.
Raul Hernandez, PCCI vice president for SMEs and Propel project chairman, expressed his appreciation at the very warm reception by the various stakeholders and local governments in all the target provinces.
Hernandez said the initial consultations and the project proposals that have so far been generated "reflect so much on the willingness of local government executives, business leaders and organizations to work together to develop enterprises." He added that the level of interest is so high that other provinces not included in the initial list of pilot areas, have linked with PCCI to put in place similar programs in their respective communities. (Press release)
(October 26, 2005 issue)
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