BACOLOD CITY (PIA) — Entrepreneurs from across Negros Occidental are urged to embrace innovation and adapt to market changes if enterprise growth and expansion are eyed.
During the recent Provincial Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) Summit held in this city, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) enjoined business owners to explore innovative practices, including digitalization.
Bearing the theme “Innovate to Elevate: Empowering MSMEs for Sustainable Growth,” the Summit intended to empower MSMEs by giving them the resources, information, and skills they need to prosper in today’s competitive economy fueled by digital transformation.
Arlene Infante from the Association of Negros Producers stressed that innovation is no longer an option but a necessity for entrepreneurs that would open opportunities and bring about sustainable development.
“Let us take this opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, explore new ideas, and forge partnerships that will [bring] our businesses to new heights,” Infante said.
She noted that MSMEs are considered the backbone of the economy, comprising 99.63 percent of business enterprises operating in the country, per the 2023 data of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
“We believe that MSMEs are the backbone of the economy. We, MSMEs, are the engine of growth that drives our nation forward,” Infante stressed.
For his part, former businessman and now Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez urged MSMEs to be aware of modern technologies that can improve their operations and usher in growth for their businesses.
“We have to embrace technology for us to move forward and to be able to capitalize sang evolving environment diri sa aton. We have to be able to use, utilize ini nga technologies to be ahead sa aton competitors,” he said.
(We have to embrace technology for us to move forward and to be able to capitalize on the evolving environment around us. We have to be able to use, utilize these technologies to be ahead of our competitors.)
With linkage to proper markets as one of the major concerns of MSMEs, Benitez assured that the government is working to establish the best-suited market connections for all business types.
The province-wide MSME Summit also intended to celebrate small business owners, sustain the network among MSMEs, and enable them to be inspired by and learn from industry leaders. (AGP/BPS/PIA Negros Occidental)
