PLDT to help MSMEs in e-commerce

PLDT, INC. and its digital innovations unit Voyager Innovations, Inc partnered with GoNegosyo to assist micro, small, and medium enterprises ( MSMEs) in e- commerce.

With the partnership, local businesses can participate in the mentorship program of GoNegosyo, which has been expanded to include training on how to establish and maintain online stores through TackThis, the online store builder of Voyager; access logistics and a nationwide market through Tackatack; and gain access to financial support through Lendr.

The program will also allow MSMEs to accept mobile cashless payments through PayMaya QR.

PLDT said the partnership is in line with the program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to equip more than 100,000 MSMEs with digital solutions by 2020. GoNegosyo is the advocacy of the NGO Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE).

“The enablement program covers much of what business owners need to ready themselves in expanding their operations and putting up a presence in the online market space as we’ve all seen how e- commerce has become the new frontier among Filipino consumers,” GoNegosyo President and CEO Jose Ma. A. Concepcion III, also the Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship said in a statement.

“We are committed to help SMEs thrive and become more globally competitive through digital services and solutions,” PLDT Chairman, President and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said in a statement.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls.