DTI partners with Robinsons to promote MSME products

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry and publicly-listed Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. have entered into an agreement to support the products of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as the administration’s drug rehabilitation efforts.

The agreement calls for the operation by RRHI of a Go Lokal store in Robinsons Place Manila starting next month.

The agreement with Robinsons is in line with DTI’s objective of providing greater market access to the best products of Philippine MSMEs.

Under the partnership, DTI and Robinsons will help communities and vulnerable sectors by allocating 10 percent of the net income generated by Go Lokal stores to social causes and projects, including government-led drug rehabilitation initiatives.

“This Go Lokal partnership with Robinsons is a clear manifestation of the growing number of private entities that are willing to strengthen collaboration with the government in making growth truly inclusive across the country, especially for our micro entrepreneurs,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

“Aside from promoting our world-class products and MSMEs, we would also like to increase the number of employment that these partnerships can create to different localities across the region,” Trade Undersecretary Nora Terrado said.

Last month, the DTI also inked an agreement with community mall developer CityMall Commercial Centers Inc.  to operate and manage Go Lokal stores in every existing CityMall as well as those to be opened in the future.

Go Lokal is a design-led concept store showcasing locally-made quality products.

With the program, DTI will provide assistance to its private partners, including product development, sourcing and branding.