DTI putting up more shared service facilities

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has vowed to provide more equipment sharing facilities next year for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that will allow them to improve their productivity.

“For us to contribute in providing jobs, encourage Filipinos to do business and spur economic activity in the countryside, we will provide more shared service facilities (SSFs) to help MSMEs produce fast and efficient products that are proudly Filipino-made and export quality,” Trade Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said.

The SSF project is DTI’s program that provides MSMEs access to technology, machinery, equipment, tools, systems, skills and knowledge under a shared system.

With access to better technology and more sophisticated equipment, the agency said MSMEs would have higher productivity, better and efficient products, higher levels of innovation and creativity, as well as improved market access to address the gaps in the global value chain.

“The key to inclusive growth is our MSMEs. With the shared service facility, MSME cooperatives and entrepreneurs are provided with sophisticated equipment and machinery that will double their production and help them come up with export-ready products,” Maglaya said.

As of end-October, DTI has provided MSMEs with 2,222 SSFs worth P1.19 billion throughout the country, benefitting 215,628 existing and potential MSMEs and has provided 111,747 jobs to Filipinos.

SSF beneficiaries include cooperatives, associations or groups of MSMEs including MSMEs or individual entrepreneurs.

Under the SSF project, DTI also establishes fabrication laboratories throughout the country which aims to enhance the core competencies of existing manufacturers and emerging entrepreneurs in digitally-enabled manufacturing workflows guided by art and design principles.

Through the fabrication laboratory, MSMEs, aspiring entrepreneurs, and students are provided with innovation, prototyping technologies and software for their products and design.

Currently, there are 12 fabrication laboratories in the country operated by schools, institutions or centers.

The DTI has sought for a P1-billion funding for the continued expansion of the SSF program next year.

“We will continue to push significant interventions to support the growth of MSMEs and build a climate conducive to business and innovation. We will continue to provide the necessary services to help entrepreneurs thrive and even expand your businesses in an increasingly competitive market,” Maglaya said.