Chamber to relaunch  CCCI Marketplace

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is set to relaunch the CCCI Marketplace by July 2023.

The Chamber’s Marketplace platform, which was launched at the height of the pandemic, is now improved and boosted following the support given by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in terms of technology and eCommerce expertise.

CCCI president Charles Kenneth Co announced that while the platform has been there since the pandemic, supposedly to help members stay in the business, “many sellers, merchants, and platforms in the region have encountered difficulties in maximizing the platform.”

In his presentation to the delegates of the 15th Media Seminar hosted by the US Embassy Manila, Co explained that as the campaign for online presence intensified, some encountered difficulties in managing the transition hindering their ability to fully utilize the CCCI Marketplace.

“The CCCI understands the power of digital platforms and the potential they hold for expanding the reach of our businesses,” said Co.

Introduced during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the business chamber created this web-based marketplace app with the intention of helping members reach a wider market and promote Cebuano e-entrepreneurs.

It is an inclusive ecosystem where members of the chamber can work together and do business with each other.

Developed by CCCI member Paulo Uy, the portal is ready for re-launch equipped with sophisticated features, which include the entire supply chain—from payment to logistics like Maya, and Airspeed, among others to give easier access to member sellers.

CCCI collaborated with organizations like USAID to bolster efforts in promoting digital readiness among sellers, merchants, and platforms.

According to Co, USAID's expertise and resources can contribute significantly to its shared goal of empowering Cebuano e- entrepreneurs and ensuring their success in the digital marketplace.

Currently, the web-based app is undergoing a design overhaul whose interface is modern but user-friendly, just like other e-commerce sites.

The US government through USAID is putting in P1 billion (US$18 million) to help the Philippines grow its digital economy with the implementation of Strengthening Private Enterprises for the Digital Economy (Speed) project, a five-year in partnership with the Philippine government.