DTI taps major retailers for MSME dev’t

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is embarking on a new collaboration with the country’s biggest retailers to help small entrepreneurs and at the same time contribute to the rehabilitation of drug dependents.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez is wooing top retailers to take part in the Duterte administration’s campaign for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) development and war on drugs at the same time.

Lopez said the DTI plans to enter into an agreement with big mall developers and retailers to adopt a policy wherein a portion of their profits from the sale of MSME products would go into the creation of more drug rehabilitation centers in support of the government’s campaign against drugs.

“Recently, we have a new project concept in order to give more market access to MSMEs. What we’re trying to do now is showcase the best of MSME products, from fashion accessories to clothing, housewares, gifts and decors, and make them available on a daily basis instead of twice a year in a three-day expo,” Lopez said.

The DTI is currently in talks with mall owners to provide free spaces dedicated to the MSME products as a way to help these firms reach the mainstream market.

“We are planning to have proceeds of this program to help the key program of the current Duterte administration which is to provide rehab centers for those who are coming to the fold, trying to have some reformation in their lives. With thousands surrendering we really need more rehab centers so this is one program to help them,” Lopez said.

Under the proposed program, Lopez said the government is initially looking at between three to five percent of the mall developer or retailer’s total revenue from the sale of the MSME products to go to government’s rehabilitation program.

“At least whatever amount this project generates will help. We will let the respective malls run it. They will have the proceeds but we will ask for a percentage. No profit for DTI but we’ll ask them that a part of the mark-up will go to the rehab centers,” he said.

According to the Trade chief, he already had talks with Rustans, SM, Robinsons and Puregold, and all of them gave positive responses to the proposal.

“Hopefully, we will see this project kick off in the next two months with a pilot branch and eventually in all of the malls,” Lopez said.