DTI-10 gears to complete region’s Negosyo Centers by 2020

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY --The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Northern Mindanao is preparing to complete the establishment of all Negosyo Centers in the region by 2020.

This was announced during the first Regional Negosyo Center Conference held on November 26 in Mallberry Suites Business Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.

Negosyo Center is DTI’s program responsible for promoting ease of doing business and facilitating access to services for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

DTI is keen on achieving its target of opening 94 Negosyo Centers with 85 already established across the region: 5 in Camiguin, 21 in Bukidnon, 20 in Lanao del Norte, 13 in Misamis Occidental and 26 in Misamis Oriental.

National Negosyo Center Program Director Emma Asusano, on behalf of Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, congratulated the Negosyo Center Cagayan de Oro City for being the first Negosyo Center to open in the region and in the nation.

The Negosyo Center Cagayan de Oro City was opened on November 13, 2014.

“Negosyo Center is a living organization because we deal with our Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises - the catalyst for the economy of the nation,” Director Asusano said.

Assistant Director for DTI-Export Marketing Bureau Agnes Perpetua-Legaspi highlighted DTI’s support in creating businesses especially Philippine start-ups during her afternoon talk on Building Negosyo Center Plus Ecosystems: Developing Innovative Entrepreneurs for the Global Market.

“For you to get that mindset, it has to be...looking and thinking of new things, doing new things and creating value in the marketplace,” she said.

The regional conference also featured best practices that are distinct of each provincial office.

DTI Bukidnon presented how the use of technology made Business Registration and Licensing easier, particularly in Negosyo Center Valencia City.

DTI Misamis Oriental shared the comprehensive program for MSMEs as it highlighted the importance of business development through capability building of MSMEs, the heart of the Negosyo Center services.

With the strong tourism industry in Camiguin, the province’s DTI found it fitting to discuss how its Negosyo Centers, particularly the Mambajao Negosyo Center strengthened and sustained the tourism-supported businesses in their locality.

On the other hand, DTI Misamis Occidental took pride in its strong network collaboration of Negosyo Center partners through the commitment of its partner stakeholders from the local government units, local chambers, the private sector and other key stakeholders, which resulted to building a network for local support in helping the MSMEs.

Finally, DTI Lanao del Norte emphasized creativity, innovation and technology as Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) housed the FAB LAB Mindanao, the first digital fabrication laboratory in Mindanao that “can aid the region’s researches and businesses in creating physical prototypes of their design. Through FAB Lab Mindanao, DTI is cultivating a startup economy where ideas are physically transformed.

With the theme, “Building Sustainable Negosyo Centers in Northern Mindanao,” the conference was attended by 153 delegates, including business counselors from DTI Northern Mindanao Negosyo Center provincial offices, and representatives from local government units and private sectors.

the DTI-EMB is organizing the Export-Ready!