CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently disclosed their new programs for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

With the vision “A More Inclusive and Prosperous Philippines with Employment and Income Opportunities for All”, DTI Regional Director Judith Angeles shared the three strategic initiatives to be implemented namely Brand Equity Development Program (BED), Industry Cluster Enhancement Program (ICE), and the Kapatid Mentor Micro Entrepreneurs Program (KMME).

BED program aims to develop new strong homegrown Philippine brands in both local and foreign markets from the ranks of MSMEs.

“It [BED program] is targeting at least one brand developed per year per province,” Angeles explained.

Moreover, ICE program intends to develop more globally integrated, highly sustainable, and productive priority industry clusters where MSMEs are heavily involved.

“This is where the eight priority clusters of the department’s Regional Operations Group comes in, which include bamboo, coffee, cacao, coco coir, fruits and nuts, decors and wearables,” Angeles added.

KMME program, on the other hand, plans to aid micro entrepreneurs scale up their businesses through regular coaching and mentoring sessions from business owners and practitioners on different functional areas of entrepreneurship.

“This [KMME program] is already being implemented in partnership with Go Negosyo or the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, headed by Presidential Consultant Joey Concepcion,” Angeles said. (CLJD/JRAA-PIA 3)