DTI encourages more MSMES to embrace digital transformation

CEBU CITY - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is targeting more Cebu micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMES) to embrace digital transformation.

Maria Elena Arbon, DTI Cebu Provincial Director, said they are expecting more MSMES to be knowledgeable and attuned to the idea of digitizing their businesses. “We encourage more MSMES to embrace digital innovation and this Slingshot is one of the venues for these businesses to partner with existing tech startups, shaping a more dynamic innovation ecosystem in Cebu,” Arbon said following the success of the 2nd Slingshot Philippines held at Marco Polo Hotel recently.

Some 300 MSMES and start-ups attended the event which Arbon said aims to improve the capacity of both start-ups and MSMES in line with the Asean Strategic Action Plan by keeping up with current trends in the tech industry, preparing brick-and-mortar enterprises for transformation into the digital era, and linking enterprises with potentially groundbreaking ideas to investors.

Senen Perlada, DTI Export Marketing Bureau Director, also said the laid out plan at the national level is to have “innovation economic zones”. These “innovation economic zones” will function just like the business economic zones although this time it will be the start-up companies.

The start-up companies under these innovation economic zones will enjoy fiscal holiday and other fiscal and non-fiscal incentives. There were break-out sessions designed for digital transformation lessons for small and medium scale entrepreneurs while the other group is for big companies.