Zambo MSME conference set

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is staging a conference to update concerned stakeholders on policy directions and inform them about the latest in the Philippine Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSME) Development Agenda. (PNA photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is staging a conference to update concerned stakeholders on policy directions and inform them about the latest in the Philippine Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSME) Development Agenda.

About 400 entrepreneurs from all over Zamboanga Peninsula are expected to attend the one-day activity, dubbed as the 2017 Zamboanga Peninsula MSME Conference, which is set on Wednesday, August 30, in Pagadian City.

The conference is anchored on the theme “The 7 Ms Towards a Prosperous Asean MSMEs.”

Dr. Sitti Amina Jain, DTI regional director, on Monday said they have invited business experts as resource speakers to share their knowledge and insights on the opportunities the Asean integration presents, especially in promoting MSMEs as a platform for promoting inclusive and sustainable growth.

The topics to be discussed during the conference are the following: The Philippines in the Asean Economic Community: Opportunities and Challenges; Mastery and Mentoring towards MSME Competitiveness and Resilience; Appropriate Technology and Machines towards a Productive and Responsive Asean MSMEs; and, Policy Directions Toward Enhancing Productive Philippine MSMEs in the Asean, all these capturing DTI’s 7Ms: Mind-set change, Mastery, Mentoring, Markets, Machines, Money, and Models of Business.

The 7Ms is DTI’s approach in uplifting MSMEs, as introduced by DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, an entrepreneur himself.
“Mind-set change” is instilling and embracing the right entrepreneurial attitude that will carry a person in his or her journey in business.

“Mastery” refers to teaching MSMEs the basics of entrepreneurship, knowing what you need to set up a business, among others.

“Market Access” refers to the basic rules of spotting market opportunities, finding your product positioning and differentiation, product development, market development, basic business finance and plan preparation, as well as developing a system for continuous innovation.

“Mentoring” is an initiative that provides guidance to MSMEs by successful business personalities.

They serve as coach to budding MSMEs to help them grow their business.

“Money” is for capital or additional funds to finance expansion of business. It is also important for MSMEs to have the right

“Machines” to help them with their productivity.

The DTI, through the competent business counsellors, will help MSMEs in coming up with ideas or business models to start their business.

Expected participants to the conference are MSMEs, multi-national corporations, private sector, academe, and concerned government agencies, according to Jain.