DTI taps SM’s Kultura for Go Lokal store

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with the SM Group's Kultura brand, is set to open a retail store featuring products made by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

In a statement, DTI said it has signed an agreement with Kultura to open a Go Lokal! store in SM Makati.

Go Lokal, a project of the DTI, is a design-led concept store and market platform showcasing modern and indigenous quality products crafted, designed and created by innovative Philippine MSMEs.

The trade department noted Go Lokal stores are mostly found in consumerfrequented locations.

Under the signed agreement, Kultura will operate and manage the said Go Lokal store.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said the Go Kultura program is in line with the trade department's efforts for MSME development in the country.

“Kultura and Go Lokal! are complementary avenues to help our local MSMEs gain retail foothold in the Philippine domestic market. We are pleased to open a Go Lokal! together with Kultura as a testament of our collective thrust of inclusive growth and development of our MSMEs.” said Secretary Ramon Lopez.

MSMEs comprise 99.5 percent of the registered businesses in the country, according to 2015 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

“Kultura has become a showcase of local artistry and craftsmanship and furthers its advocacy by partnering with the DTI for its Go Lokal project, providing a venue for the distribution and promotion of products sourced from MSMEs,” Kultura senior vice president for operations Ivy Frances Yap said.