DTI urged to prioritize MSMEs in rural areas
Senator Loren Legarda has said that self-employment in the rural areas must be the primary concern of the Department of Trade and Industry by supporting micro, small and medium enterprises.
“They may not be the big bucks earners like the tourism and mining sectors, and BPOs but these absorb the lack of employment in the most vulnerable populations where many have minimal education,” Legarda said.
She said the small business owners in the provinces have expressed concern how they would get proper training and to connect with the markets.
”This is the main concern which I’ve heard every time I go to the provinces. I am talking about the smallest entrepreneurs who probably do mat weaving in Basey, Western Samar or who do shell necklaces in some town in Bohol, those who need only a minimal capital of P5,000 to P10,000,” Legarda said.
“We have to help those who have greater needs, those who will never be employed in mega businesses but could still have a fighting chance to have a profitable means of livelihood,” she added.
Legarda said the DTI would play key role in assisting the business entrepreneurs in the rural areas to eventually boost the economic growth in the country.
“The vigilance of the DTI in assisting and training more micro-entrepreneurs with product development, product quality, good management, labeling and marketing through their personnel assigned in the provinces will be an invaluable economic growth boost,” Legarda concluded.*PNA
