ZAMBOANGA CITY (Lowell Vallecer / 14 Jun) The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Bureau of Food and Drug (BFAD), the Department of Labor (DOLE) and other members of the Region 9 Small, Medium Enterprises Core Group is set to undertake a comprehensive package of product development assistance for selected SMEs in Western Mindanao, officials said Wednesday.
In the Philippines, an SME is defined as any business activity or enterprise engaged in industry, agriculture, or services whether single proprietorship, cooperative, partnership, or corporation.
Officials said top caliber private designers from Manila have been contracted to facilitate the product development activities which include product clinics and one-on-one consultations on product designs; packaging and labeling; and prototype development.
Over 24 SMEs based in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay and Isabela City in Basilan island were identified by the Department of Trade and Industry as beneficiaries of the product development assistance package. The DOST on the other hand, targeted at least ten other SMEs.
In the Philippines, an SME is defined as any business activity or enterprise engaged in industry, agriculture, or services whether single proprietorship, cooperative, partnership, or corporation.
Officials said top caliber private designers from Manila have been contracted to facilitate the product development activities which include product clinics and one-on-one consultations on product designs; packaging and labeling; and prototype development.
Over 24 SMEs based in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay and Isabela City in Basilan island were identified by the Department of Trade and Industry as beneficiaries of the product development assistance package. The DOST on the other hand, targeted at least ten other SMEs.
A stringent set of criteria such as the enterprise’s capability to produce high quality products, responsiveness to product development initiatives and other factors had been used to shortlist the SMEs prioritized for assistance this year. The SME beneficiaries of this project and their products shall be showcased during the upcoming Regional Trade Expo during the 15th Mindanao Business Conference in Zamboanga City from August 31 to September 2.
Most of the identified SMEs are into food processing, such as bottled sardines; smoked fish; processed calamansi (Philippine lime) and mango; banana and cassava chips; noodles; virgin coconut oil; organic herbal concentrates; processed meat; and cakes and pastries. The non-food products on the other hand include fashion accessories, as well as home decors and gifts and housewares made from indigenous materials such as seashells, mother of pearl, abaca and bamboo.
The first phase of the regional product development activity will commence on Thursday in Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte. From there, the group of designers will proceed to Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur on Saturday and in Ipil town, also in the province on Sunday until Monday. And June 20 for Zamboanga City and Isabela City SMEs. The schedule for the second phase has yet to be discussed, officials said.
This project is part of a comprehensive assistance package through a convergence of services from different government agencies and the private sector meant to make local SMEs and their products competitive in the national and international markets. Officials said interested parties may contact Estrella del Mar at (62) 991-3237 and 991-3238 or at any DTI offices in the region.
No comments:
Post a Comment