WITH the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (Asean) e-commerce sector expected to triple in size from US$100 billion in 2019 to $300 billion in 2025, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is inviting the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector to participate in the second Asean Online Sale Day (AOSD).
“Our participation in this year’s AOSD would allow us to create “Better Normal” through taking advantage of the benefits of e-commerce in the region. The more e-commerce also means more jobs and employment generated for our countrymen,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez in a statement.
Growth of online businesses
The DTI records showed that in the light of the pandemic, e-commerce activities saw a boom in the Philippines as consumers and businesses increasingly turned online.
From 1,700 in the first quarter of 2020, the number of online businesses reported by the Business Name Registration System of DTI increased to around 88,000 by year-end.
The DTI said Filipinos can avail themselves of discounts and promotions not only from participating e-commerce businesses and marketplaces in the Philippines, but also from those participating from neighboring Asean countries during the AOSD period.
Deadline
Deadline of application for Philippine-based business, MSMEs, or marketplaces selling goods or services online is July 27, 2021.
DTI said the agency partnered last year with members of the Philippine Franchise Association, Philippine Retailers Association and UnionBank GlobalLinker which facilitated the participation of 36 Philippine e-commerce businesses. DTI’s Go Lokal!, which features Philippine products, was also featured through the e-commerce platform Shopinas.
Platforms such as DTI’s Go Lokal! and Unionbank GlobalLinker have confirmed participation in this year’s AOSD.
The website listing all participating merchants and platforms in AOSD 2021 can be accessed through http://onlineasean.com. (JOB)