apacitating the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in achieving a larger marketability online, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) successfully kicked off this year’s One Town, One Product (OTOP) National Virtual Trade Fair via Zoom and simulcasted through the official Facebook pages of the OTOP Philippines and PLDT Home Biz, 02 August 2021.
DTI is certain that empowering the MSME sector through e-commerce and digitalization like the OTOP online fair will help the Philippine trade and industry bounce back from the economic downturn due to the prolonged COVID-19 crisis.
“We believe that MSMEs will play essential role in helping to rebuild the economy back better so we can help uplift the lives of people in the pandemic future,” said Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.
Developed under the OTOP Next Gen program, more than 380 MSMEs or OTOPreneurs on-boarded the official platform of the OTOP NVTF 2021 to showcase their marketable products online.
Regional Operations Group (ROG) Trade Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona encouraged the Filipino consumers to support locals by buying OTOP products from the online store at www.virtualtradeexpoph.com.
“Magagawa pa rin natin ibangon ang ekonomiya sa pamamagitan ng pagbili o pagtangkilik ng mga produktong gawa mismo ng ating mga maliliit na negosyo. Sa paraang ito, suportado pa rin natin ang mga MSMEs habang ligtas tayo mula sa banta ng virus o sakit na maaaring makuha sa labas ng tahanan,” Usec. Lantayona stated.
OTOP is a priority stimulus program for MSMEs as government’s customized intervention to drive inclusive local economic growth. The program enables localities and communities to determine, develop, support, and promote products or services that are rooted in its local culture, community resource, creativity, connection, and competitive advantage. It is a convergent initiative involving DTI and other government agencies and private sector.
