CEBU, Philippines - A Negosyo Center is now going to be operational in Carcar City, which is home to Cebu's best locally-made food and non-food products.
The Department of Trade and Industry is launching today the Carcar Negosyo Center, which can register business names, offer advisory to aspiring entrepreneurs, and help existing enterprises link their products to potential markets, among others.
"Carcar City is the gateway to southern Cebu. Majority of enterprises are into processed food and footwear manufacturing that need intervention through the services of negosyo center," Elias Tecson, business development chief at DTI-Cebu, told The FREEMAN yesterday.
As of June 2016, Tecson said there are 1054 business establishments in Carcar City registered and issued with business permits.
And this could potentially increase with the Negosyo Center.
Growth center
Carcar City is considered to be an important growth center for small enterprises in Cebu, as it is the source of Cebu's best products such as chicharon, lechon, ampao, bocarillo, and footwear, among others.
Most of these products are sold locally.
Last May, the DTI also launched a negosyo center in Dalaguete, southern Cebu.
The Carcar negosyo center can also serve small entrepreneurs from nearby towns such as San Fernando, Barili, Sibonga, Argao, and Dumanjug, among others.
Negosyo centers are also present in Sta. Fe in Bantayan Island, San Remigio, Dalaguete, Carcar City, Bogo City, UP-Cebu and in DTI's regional and provincial offices.
Negosyo act
Republic Act 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act mandates the creation of negosyo centers across the country to help grow the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector which accounts for around 99 percent of registered businesses in the Philippines.
The law says that negosyo centers must facilitate ease of doing business in the country and access to services for MSMEs.
Aside from accounting for most registered businesses, MSMEs also make up for most jobs created in the country.
MSMEs are considered to be an important economic growth driver, as they stimulate domestic demand through job creation, innovation and competition.
With that, prioritizing MSME development is critical in achieving inclusive growth. (FREEMAN)