DTI: 70% of MSMEs yet to adopt e-commerce

MANILA, Philippines — Bulk or 70 percent of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have yet to adopt e-commerce, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) even as consumers have shifted to online platforms amid the ongoing pandemic.

Based on a survey conducted by the DTI  from Jan. 28 to Feb.10,  69.8 percent or 10,779  MSMEs have not taken advantage of opportunities offered by e-commerce.

The survey covered 15,434 MSMEs.   Of the total respondents, the bulk or 14,402 are micro enterprises. The rest are small businesses and medium enterprises.

The DTI has been encouraging MSME to  adopt e-commerce as the use of the online platforms among consumers has accelerated due to the pandemic.

To enable MSMEs to tap opportunities in the digital space, the DTI is conducting webinars and training on e-commerce and online payments.

Earlier this year, the DTI also launched a new e-commerce roadmap which aims to increase the share of e-commerce. From a baseline of P599 billion or 3.4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product last year, the target is to raise the contribution of e-commerce to P850 billion or 4.3 percent share this year and to P1.2 trillion or 5.5 percent share next year.

The roadmap has also set a goal to have 750,000 e-commerce enterprises this year and one million by next year from 500,000 last year.

In addition, the DTI is pushing for the passage of the proposed Internet Transactions Act which seeks to create the Electronic Commerce Bureau under the agency to regulate e-commerce transactions in the country.

This, as the DTI recognizes that building trust in online activities would be necessary for e-commerce to thrive in the country.