Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Director Emedio J. Abang reveals that the Small Medium Enterprise Roving Academy is currently activated by his department for a dynamic learning program for the development of micro, small and medium enterprises to become competitive in the domestic, international and global markets.
Director Abang was one of the guest speakers of the 6th Council of Management Educators and Practitioners in the Philippines (COMEPP) held at Farmers Training Center, CMU on November 17-18, 2014. He explicitly explained his topic on Transforming SME’s Mindset towards ASEAN integration.
The main strategies of SMERA include the integration of the business development services for SMEs at the national and local levels, establishment of the Provincial, Regional, and National Entrepreneurship Development Networks and management of an inclusive promotion program.
Abang likewise mentioned few successful social enterprises, to include the Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm in Brgy. Encanto, Angat, Bulacan in which recently, it was made as venue of the 2nd Social Business Summit with the theme “Economic Innovation for Inclusive Wealth Creation” on October 2-4, 2014. Another was the Mt. Kalayo (Mt. Musuan) Institute for Social Enterprise Growth (MKISEG), initiated jointly by CMU and Gawad Kalinga who took one of the boldest steps with a new flavour to the poor to overcome the silence of poverty.
The readiness of the Philippines and other members for ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015 draws consciousness for the SMEs in regional integration. However, Dir. Abang divulged that the global production chain requires an international mindset which include the challenges to compete domestically on supply chain, technology, transportation and infrastructure support, among others. He sought MSME competitiveness strategies for innovation, information, niche, network, cluster and foreign direct investment strategies
He added that the People’s Credit and Finance Corporation by the Land Bank of the Philippines, the ASENSO Program of the Philippine government, the Mandatory Allocation of Credit Resources to MSMES will address the financial problem on solo micro, small and medium enterprise.
-Ann Nambatac
