DTI seeks Ayala aid in development of MSME

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is seeking the assistance of one of the country’s largest conglomerates in the government’s drive toward the development of small businesses.

In a recent dialogue between Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and the Ayala Group, the trade chief encouraged Ayala executives to help the government in elevating the competencies of Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“The sharing of leadership skills and best practices from the private sector are critical components in enhancing the ability of MSMEs to thrive in a globally-competitive business environment,” he said.

Lopez also called on the company to adopt an inclusive business model, where MSMEs are integrated in the value chain.

“The Go Lokal! brand is part of DTI’s MSME push, improving market access by mainstreaming MSME products in major malls,” said Lopez, adding that DTI already started partnering with some of the country’s mall owners.

Lopez said he hopes the Ayala Group would also consider being part of the Go Lokal! initiative.

For its part, Ayala Corp. president and COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala welcomed the government’s call as he emphasized the need to forge a partnership that “stretches beyond the economic realm to other challenges that perpetuate poverty and inequity.”

“I believe that there is a pressing need for an implicit social contract that capitalism has to create with the rest of society, to help address many of the developmental challenges we all face as companies, as people, as nation,” Ayala said.

The Kapatid Mentor Me is one of the programs initiated by the DTI that allows big companies to help and mentor its “smaller brothers” in the industry. The program is in partnership with private sector partners like the Go Negosyo, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Philippine Franchise Association, and the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc.