DTI: 65 MSMEs in Region 7 qualified for Go Lokal

Sixty-five micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) based in Central Visayas have been qualified for the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) 7 Go Lokal project.

In a press conference yesterday, DTI 7 Director Asteria Caberte said the region has the highest number of MSMEs that have qualified for the Go Lokal project.

“That means our products here have the highest quality,” the official said.

Region 4 topped the highest number of MSMEs that have qualified for Go Lokal, she added.

A brainchild of Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Go Lokal provides a free marketing platform for the country’s MSMEs with products that have “high quality” potential.

Go Lokal stores are nestled in strategic lcoations like malls and commercial centers which provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to go mainstream and access the local consumer market.

According to DTI, Go Lokal suppliers must offer “new, neverbeen-in-the-market products” or be willing to undergo a product development with product specialists and designers from the Design Center of the Philippines.

Last June 7 to June 8, some 96 MSMEs from Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor gathered at the Golden Prince Hotel in Cebu City for the One Town One Product Next Generation (OTOP NextGen) project screening, assessment, and triage sessions.

From there, Caberte said 65 MSMEs have qualified for Go Lokal. She said their products will undergo intensive product development and willl be assessed by November.

The Go Lokal Project Management Office has partnered with the Design Center of the Philip- pines to deploy a team of product specialists to help MSMEs develop a new line of products for the Go Lokal stores.In Central Visayas, Caberte said the trade agency is looking to open two Go Lokal stores. She, however, preferred not to disclose the locations yet.

In another development, DTI 7 also announced the holding of the 12th Sandugo Trade Expo from July 19 to 23 at the Island City Mall in Tagbilaran City in Bohol.

The exhibit will feature locally made products that make use of sustainable and indigenous materials.