Confabs on poverty alleviation slated in Aklan

Kalibo , Aklan — This month , a couple of conferences on poverty alleviation and small and medium enterprise development programs are scheduled to be held in the Province of Aklan.

On March 15-19, 2005 ,   the Advocate of Philippine Fair Trade, Inc. (APFTI) will be holding the 2005 Fair Trade Partners Conference at Boracay Courtyard, Boracay Island with the theme, “ Disenyo , Kultura at Panlasang Pilipino sa Pandaigdigang Merkado .”

On March 17-19, 2005 ,   the People's Credit and Finance Corporation (PCFC) with their Visayas micro-finance institution partners such as cooperatives,   rural banks and non-government organizations,   will have its regular annual program assessment and dialogue at the Sampaguita Gardens , New Washington, Aklan .

On both occasions ,   Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez was invited to keynote the conferences.

The APFTI conference is being organized to ponder and assess the status of fair trade enterprises in the country especially those that have been assisted b the APFTI and determine the range of current issues impacting on small and medium enterprises.

The APFTI conference proper includes an extraordinary lineup of experts from both the food and craft sectors and distinguished speakers from institutions and government agencies whose works directly affect the activities of SMEs have also been invited ,   said APFTI Executive Director Antonieta R. Ocampo .

Ocampo said topics in the conference include:   Current Trends in Craft Design and Packaging and Labeling ;   Sourcing and Using Indigenous Materials;   Preserving Art and Culture in Crafts;   Product Standards and Specifications;   Gender Sensitivity in the Workplace;   and Labor Standards for SMES.

She added that among the highlights in a special session on business opportunities that will feature buyers, funders , and other SME support organizations and a fair trade tiangge where the participants will showcase some of their products.

As the lead government financial institution tasked to provide micro-finance services for the exclusive use of the poor through wholesale funds,   the PCFC has already served 1,366,275 poor clients nationwide thru its 196 various micro-finance institution partners.

The participants to the PCFC conference will be chairmen/presidents/general managers and program heads/managers of more than 40 micro-finance institution partners of PCFC covering the whole Visayas Island,   said Iluminada L.E. Cabigas ,   President and Chief Executive Officer of PCFC.