IN THE bid to further help more small businesses in Negros Occidental to grow, the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) is eyeing a bigger business fair in the province next year.
Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of MBCCI, said the just concluded Ninth Negros Business Week is successful as it has enabled participating "blue-collar" enterprises from rural areas to tap urban markets.
The week-long activity, which was held at Robinsons Place Bacolod until Sunday, July 15, has gathered about 30 exhibitors mostly from localities outside Bacolod City.
This year's theme is "Government and Business: Partnering for Growth and Development."
Carbon, however, said there is a need for a bigger activity that would allow other entrepreneurs to also participate and try whether their products can already be commercialized.
"We want to cater to more local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during the annual event by making it a month-long event," he added.
Once implemented, the activity will be dubbed Negros Business Month still in partnership with the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental.
It will again underscore the need to develop small enterprises among the rural areas in the province.
Carbon said the group wants to create livelihood and jobs in these areas, which host about half of the total population.
Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. has also been pushing for the development of "blue-collar" entrepreneurs through one, bringing them in various trade fairs, Carbon said, adding that "thus, we will continue to work together."
The hosting of the Negros Business Week usually every second week of July is provided under a Provincial Ordinance.
For this year, MBCCI and the Provincial Government has collaborated with various government line agencies like the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) which provided "consultations" to the participants.
During the seven-day activity, exhibitors have generated more than P1 million in sales. It is higher than about P900,000 last year.
Carbon said higher revenues are attributed to saleable products of the rural-based "blue-collar" entrepreneurs.
The business group leader also noted a stronger purchasing power of the Negrenses.
"This means that their products can already be sold in Bacolod City. What they just need now is to improve their packaging and labels," Carbon said, adding that another area to work on is ensuring "hygiene" especially of food products in order to pass the standards set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
MBCCI is also tapping more support from the Provincial Government and the DOST especially in terms of providing equipment for local small enterprises.
Carbon said this equipment would help entrepreneurs to boost production and ensure quality products.
In order to sustain the need of the market, he pointed out that "blue-collar" entrepreneurs should be able to ensure availability of supply.
"This is one of the marketing rules. Once people can no longer see your products on the shelves even in short period of time, they might forget you," Carbon said, adding that there is also a need to ensure availability of raw materials.
Moreover, local MSMEs are urged to go to their respective local government units (LGUs) and check what assistance they can avail.
They can also ask from the provincial government, the DOST, and MBCCI assistance whether financial, investment or technology support, Carbon added.