THE private sector, with the government on its support side, has a big role in the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) thus, both should continue building strong partnerships.
This was stressed by Allan Francis Daraug, provincial director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Negros Occidental, at the sidelines of the three-day 16th World Food Expo (Wofex) held at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City which runs until today.
DOST-Negros Occidental has partnered with other government agencies and private groups including the Department of Trade and Industry, Association of Negros Producers, Metro Negros Occidental Bakers Association, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Iloilo Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association in bringing one of the country’s biggest food shows in Bacolod City.
Wofex, which gathered about 60 complete-line food suppliers mostly Manila-based, aims to link up the suppliers to local end users such as chefs, hotels and restaurant owners, and caterers.
The event also targets to provide supply solutions to help bring together the food and beverage professionals and foodies from all over the region, and to provide excellent learning opportunities from industry experts through the Wofex University.
Daraug said Wofex is aligned with DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET UP), which provides assistance to MSMEs for facility upgrading and to help with their production income generation through improving their packaging and product quality.
“We are really thankful to Wofex as it sparks ideas for our local MSMEs by introducing and making accessible to them technologies they need particularly on food processing and packaging,” Daraug said, adding that DOST is working on establishing more public-private partnerships (PPPs).
Currently, local enterprises are having difficulties in looking for suppliers, particularly those third party suppliers, of fabricator and other equipment which are mostly imported, he added.
Daraug said the DOST-Negros Occidental continues to initiate efforts in encouraging private sector to partner with government in staging activities like Wofex that could help in further developing local entrepreneurs.
“As we work for more PPPs, local enterprises are then urged to take active participation and make use of the development opportunities the latter brings,” he added.