A DUTCH non-government organization (NGO) is working on helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Negros Occidental grow by sharing its expertise on various fields like value chain development.
The Project Uitzending Managers (PUM) in the Netherlands is an organization composed of senior experts fully funded by the Dutch government.
It has been working on assisting people in developing countries like Philippines for about 30 years now.
PUM Country Coordinator to the Philippines Albert Weterings, in a press interview at 21 Bar and Restaurant in Bacolod City on Monday, said the group is bringing in a pool of experts to help Negrense SMEs improve their enterprises.
Weterings said they are discussing with several institutions and groups in the province possible opportunities for small enterprises to be equipped for export ventures.
By helping them grow, more jobs and income are created, which is one of the best ways to achieve better lives for the Filipinos, he said.
"We want to really create something in Negros, we are going to quadruple our projects here," Weterings added.
PUM has initiated 27 projects in the country last year mainly in key areas such as Manila, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Negros Occidental.
For this year, the foreign expert-group targets to implement at least 100 projects in the Philippines.
Weterings said that from working with 70 nations, the organization focused and scaled down to 35 countries, “because we want to really create an impact.”
Since the province is an agricultural area, Weterings said they can really do a lot in many fields like food safety and sustainability, horticulture, poultry and dairy farm development and fisheries, among others.
Like in Cebu where they assisted a poultry farm, Negros Occidental's SMEs can also learn about production and marketing aspects, he said.
PUM also works on tourism development, and even on issues concerning waste, water and environment.
"The organization does not provide funds, only experts. It only caters to small organizations, not the government that has its own source of funds,” Weterings said.
In looking for possible recipients of the program, PUM will establish contacts with SME organizations as well as local government units.
PUM will assist SMEs who meet certain standards such as at least two years of existence and with a minimum of 10 employees.
"We are looking at benefiting a lot of people from Negros Occidental, we are going to focus on finding those SMEs who really need the help of our experts – where we can leave a positive impact,” Weterings added.
Provincial Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Council chairman Mary Ann Colmenares, who was with the PUM official on Monday, said local enterprises should take advantage of the program.
Colmenares said that all SMEs who need advice can really benefit from the knowledge of the experts for free.
"This endeavor will really boost our productivity and efficiency which form part of the four outcome portfolios for SMEs," Colmenares said, adding that the council will also help PUM in reaching out to potential enterprises.