DTI, Go Negosyo tie up for MSME dev’t

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has forged a partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Foundation Inc.-Go Negosyo to promote job generation and inclusive growth through the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Under the agreement, Go Negosyo will help DTI accelerate the agency’s mandate and objectives.

DTI and Go Negosyo are set to launch Monday a joint undertaking called “Kapatid” project which is designed to optimize industry clustering using value chain approach to achieve MSME development.

“The inclusive business (IB) model is not new but this program is about encouraging more and more companies, creating that consciousness to develop one. To some it may not be a natural thing for them to develop an IB model because they are just sourcing their products anywhere. But doing Kapatid or IB model, you have to want it and be conscious that in doing this you’re doing good for the community and doing good is good business also,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

According to the World Bank, an IB model is a private sector approach in providing services, goods and livelihoods at a commercially viable basis to people at the base of the pyramid by making them part of the value chain of companies’ core business as suppliers, distributors, retailers or customers.

“We really have to convince large corporations to develop a Kapatid model or an IB model because a lot of Filipinos really want to move up in life. The Kapatid program will only work if we get the big corporations to accept it as something that will be meaningful for them to do,” Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion said.

“Down the road an IB incentive program would be great but in the end, you don’t want to attract big businesses just for the incentive but it should be coming from the heart in helping small farmers or small suppliers to move up,” Concepcion added.

One of the key components of the Kapatid project is a program called “Mentor Me,” which Go Negosyo has developed and implemented as a coaching and mentoring project aimed at helping MSMEs scale up their businesses.

Lopez said DTI and Go Negosyo will be collaborating with groups such as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Association of the Filipino Franchisers Inc., and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines to implement the project.