MSME- MICRO SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES AS TOURISM FRONTLINERS

October 7, 2023 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

Our ‘pasalubong ’entrepreneurs, manufacturers, producers and infrastructures are said to be the
tourism frontliners as they greet visitors upon entering and before leaving. This is according to City
Permits and Licensing Officer Allan Abayao during the Baguio Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Expo 2023 held Monday, September 25, 2023 at the Baguio Convention and
Cultural Center.

“MSMEs are the face of tourism in any locality, the quality of products speaks of our entrepreneurial competency,” Abayao said during the information, education campaign component of the event. To attain this, he said the theme of the event coined by the Department of Trade and
Industry Baguio-Benguet in partnership with the city government of Baguio which is, “Upgrade, Upskill and Upsize Small Businesses,” is very apt.

Part of upgrading he said is having an MSME registered with Business Permit to be able to avail of government services such as from the DTI. In Baguio City, there are 22,121 registered businesses as
of August 2023. Of the total businesses, 19,874 are microenterprises mostly engaged in wholesale and retail while 1,748 are small businesses; 423 are medium enterprises; and, 76 are large scale enterprises.

Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong in his State of the City Address during the Baguio Day Program on September 1 reiterated that economic recovery and development are among his administration’s 7-
Point Development Agenda. Thus, he said, the conduct of regular Sunday Session Road Market Encounter to give local MSMEs a platform to showcase their products and connect directly with
consumers.

The mayor believes that the reopening of Loakan Airport will spur product exchange with Cebu and spur economic growth among local entrepreneurs. More projects in support to MSMEs are coming according to the City Budget Office – Investments Unit of the city government including a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) / Investment Summit with the theme: “Public Private Partnerships: Promoting Private Sector Engagement for Sustainable Development in Baguio City” on October 4 and 5, 2023, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center.

PIO-Baguio