Thursday, June 26, 2008 Capitol, SMEDC hold forum for small businesses
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (SMEDC) and the Pampanga Provincial Government have conducted a forum and information briefing on how to empower small and medium businesses here.
Businessmen, entrepreneurs, and representatives of financial institutions, government agencies and non-government organizations from all over the province gathered at the Benigno Aquino Hall, Capitol Compound last Tuesday to discuss the opportunities available for those who are involved in small and medium scale business enterprises.
SMEDC brought together representatives from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Small Business Corporations (SBC), National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC) and the Philippine Business for Social Progress.
The forum presented several financing programs that are available for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and how these funds can be availed of. DBP and LBP have readily available funds for business enterprises in the province since they strongly support the One Town One Product Project, which is coordinated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Local government units (LGUs), overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and SMEs are all eligible to avail of their financial assistance programs. SBC, NLSF and PBSP, for their part, declared that they are now offering special financing programs for Kapampangan entrepreneurs.
Governor Eddie Panlilio lauded the SMEs for their contribution in spurring the economy in the countryside and providing employment in their respective communities. The participation of these financing institutions would greatly enhance their capabilities to expand and improve their products and marketing strategies.
According to Board Member Catalina Bagasina, chairperson of the Provincial Board (PB) trade committee, the SMEs are the backbone of our national economy, accounting for 69 percent of national labor and 30 percent of the economy.
"These entrepreneurs are in the forefront of our battle against poverty so it is just fair to help them develop," Bagasina said.
Featured in the event was a one-on-one consultation between the financing agencies and the participants who want to know how to avail of these various programs and the best way to prepare project proposals and business ventures that would qualify for financial assistance. (IOF)
