German agency formulates new dev program with Phl

CEBU, Philippines - The German Technical Agency (GIZ) has announced to open up another development program with the Philippine government, through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), while the current Small and Medium Enterprise Development for Sustainable Employment Program (Smedsep) is going to complete the program by year end.

GIZ Smedsep program manager Volker Steigerwald said that the German development agency is now formulating another development program in the Visayas that will start early next year.

Steigerwald however, did not divulge details of the next program, saying the GIZ together with the Philippine government partner agencies still have to finalize the program details.

On the other hand, DTI-Cebu provincial director Nelia F. Navarro said that the next program with GIZ may follow through the “greening” advocacy that will encourage the micro-and small medium entrepreneurs to adopt environment friendly operations.

Aligning the thrust of the PNoy government to promote inclusive growth, Navarro said the program may focus on the greening of the tourism value chain, and that an initial funding to jumpstart the project of P3 million will be given from the German government.

This “green tourism” program development with DTI and GIZ is expected to run for another three years.

However, Navarro said GIZ and DTI will still have to sit down and discuss the project. “Once, the Memorandum of Agreement [MOA] is done, we will be announcing the details of the new project.”

GIZ through its experienced development workers operating within the Private Sector Promotion program provide support to improve the performance of micro, small and medium enterprises through capacity development of business development service provides (BDS) such as the Local Export Experts of the PhilExport.

GIZ in partnership with DTI, promotes the use of the Value Chain approach in developing upgrading strategies for industry sectors, including tourism in Central Visayas.

The Strategic-Corporate-Community Partnerships Program in cooperation with Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) introduces a new approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR) that is aligned to the core-business of companies and works along their value chains.

The goal of SCOPE is to embed the community as a supplier of services or semi-processed goods into the company’s supply chain to create a mutually beneficial and sustainable cooperation. Through more than 35 implemented SCOPE projects, entrepreneurs achieved developmental impact and invested more in environmental and social standards.

GIZ is a federally-owned enterprise that supports the German government in the field of international development cooperation. For more than 30 years now, GIZ has been cooperating with Philippine partners in strengthening the capacity of people and institutions to improve the lives of Filipinos in this generation and generations to come. (FREEMAN)