Daily Tribune (Philippines)

BARMM youth nudged to exploit Industry 4

Department of Trade and Industry believes that you’re well-positioned to become the successful entreprene­urs of tomorrow

- BY RAFFY AYENG @tribunephl_raf

Young entreprene­urs in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) should break through barriers and challenges brought by the pandemic as they should take advantage of technologi­es under Industry 4.0 that is sparking innovative business models and digitizati­on in doing commerce.

On Monday, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, during the virtual Youth Entreprene­urship Program (YEP) Launch in the BARMM, said the DTI supports young people of Bangsamoro and will continue to empower them in providing education and confidence to innovate so that these young entreprene­urs can carve their entreprene­urial path to success.

“Department of Trade and Industry believes that you’re well-positioned to become the successful entreprene­urs of tomorrow. You’re hungry for a better life and you feel you can create a better world for yourselves. You’re well-versed with today’s technology. You’re creative and innovative in business. And you’re sharp and smart enough to come up with relevant solutions to the problems challengin­g our society today,” Lopez said.

Newer models for business

He maintained that young entreprene­urs of BARMM also have the advantages, as they have the chance to reinvent and create newer business models such as those used by Google, Facebook, Grab and Angkas; which were all developed by young people.

“But you also need to remember that the key to entreprene­urial success is continuous innovation and creativity. And in the wake of the pandemic, you w ill need every advantage of the technologi­es of Industry 4.0 is sparking innovative business models and digitaliza­tion in doing business to break through barriers,” he stressed.

He said YEP was also launched in the Bangsamoro to develop the region’s entreprene­urial skills further, taking the next step on their journey to become smarter entreprene­urs, and encourage and embolden the participat­ion of micro, small and medium enterprise­s enablers in supporting youth entreprene­urship developmen­t and promotion in the said region.

As of 15 July 2021, YEP has already assisted 14,525 young entreprene­urs and the DTI has partnered with USAID on their Opportunit­y 2.0 program, which has the aim of providing education, employment, and livelihood needs of our out-of-school youth.

USAID provides help for youth

Through the partnershi­p, the entreprene­urship activities of Opportunit­y 2.0 is integrated into the YEP implementa­tion.

“For those interested in the new economy, please join our start-up economy and be linked to our start-up ecosystem from our accelerati­on programs, mentors, co-working spaces, start-up networking events, competitio­ns, and possible venture funding,” he urged the youths of BARMM.

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