DTI seeks doubling of budget for int’l product promotions

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez has sought the doubling of the government budget for international product promotions to be able to compete with other countries in marketing the items of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

According to Lopez, the budget for this year was only R100 million to R200 million. The amount was so a miniscule that it could not even come up with a decent booth during international exhibits comparable with the other spaces taken by other countries in ASEAN.

“I think we have R200 million only or R100 million plus budget only, maybe we can double that,” said Lopez.

Lopez explained that when DTI goes outside to do marketing pitches for Filipino products during international exhibitions, their meager budget can afford only 2 meters by 3 meters of booth space while other countries have always their island display area, which is easily 30 to 40 square meters.

“They have big booths so we are dwarfed and that also reflects our kind of representation when we go out, not something to be proud of. If you want to project the good products of the Philippines, let’s fund the marketing,” he said.

Lopez further explained that the benefits of the money spent for marketing and promotions do not go to the government but to help the MSMEs.

“The ones benefiting are the MSMEs wanting to exhibit their products budget,” he said. (BCM)