THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Negros Occidental is stepping up its effort to enable micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) become digitally competitive, its top official said.
DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lea Gonzales, who spoke at the #Ready Economic Growth, Education and Awareness held at O’Hotel in Bacolod City Thursday, May 10, said the agency has been pushing for the development of digitally competitive entrepreneurs amid growing competitions in both local and global market.
“Electronic commerce (e-commerce) is the current trend, easier, and less expensive,” Gonzales said, adding that “using the online platform is more competitive as it provides worldwide access to local MSMEs.”
Telecommunications’ company PLDT Inc. has collaborated with the DTI in initiating the second leg of the activity in Bacolod City attended by at least 100 MSMEs in the province.
Voyaged Innovations is the digital innovations platform arm of PLDT and Smart Communications.
Launched in Manila last February, the activity’s first leg was conducted in Iloilo City. After Bacolod, the company will also conduct it in 79 more cities nationwide.
“The campaign is for us to really give channels to Filipino entrepreneurs to go into e-commerce. It provides them the platform where they can widen or grow their businesses,” it said.
The one-day activity included lectures and workshops on e-commerce 101, online store creation through TackThis! application, lending solutions, and other service packages offered by PLDT.
For DTI-Negros Occidental, it is also just one of its initiatives geared towards increasing the awareness of local enterprises on the need to go digital in order to be more competitive.
Gonzales said they also have a program on online marketing, which aims to encourage more entrepreneurs to use the digital platform in promoting and selling their products.
In 2017, DTI-Negros Occidental also conducted training on expanding market through e-commerce geared towards improving MSME’s digital literacy like navigating websites or even using Facebook and other social media sites.
“Aside from the technical aspects of going digital, we also have interventions on equipping entrepreneurs with skills and knowledge on product development and presentation online,” Gonzales said.
DTI-Negros Occidental has also collaborated with the Association of Negros Producers for the creation of an online product portal to be launched this year, she said, adding that it will mainly benefit the group’s members.