THE Department of Trade and Industry in Cordillera assured small and medium enterprise (SME) of help to be globally competitive in the international community through the “Mentor Me Program”.
“We will be helping our entrepreneurs to uplift their entrepreneurial mindset which is helpful in improving their products and services in the global market,” DTI-Cordillera Assistant Regional Director Grace Baluyan said.
Baluyan added they have started their “Mentor Me Program,” where they have 11 modules mentoring selected local entrepreneurs in the region. The program aims to help entrepreneurs improve their skills in making their business plans including the branding and marketing of their products not only in the Philippines but also outside the country.
The DTI official added Negosyo Centers in different parts of the region are essential venues in helping the local entrepreneurs in boosting their businesses.
Baluyan said different products in the region have different edges compared with other products in the country but the producers need to improve on the branding, marketing and must also pass the qualifications set by the government and other agencies to be more competitive.
As one of the pillars of Asean Community, DTI aimed for a single market and production base, competitive economic region, equitable economic development and integration into global economy.
According to Baluyan, the Asean Economic Community is the 7th largest economy in the world, which is 3rd in Asia with combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $2.6 trillion in 2014.
It is also the 3rd largest market in the world with a total population of over 622 million, behind China and India. It also comprises more than 50 percent of Asean population were below 30 years of age or young population in 2014.