Slowly but surely, the country’s micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs) are bouncing back because of the strong working partnership between the government and the private sector to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Amazing Philippines Digital Economy Corp. (APDEC), the digital arm of logistics leader Airspeed, has recently partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in launching “Kahanga-hangang Pilipinas,” an e-commerce advocacy program which features MSMEs from different regions of the Philippines.
Rosemarie Rafael, president and chairperson of Airspeed group of companies, said APDEC would conduct digital marketing training (and other needed learning of the community) for MSMEs and make sure that entrepreneurs can keep up with current trends, modern business practices, and will not be left behind in the country’s economic growth.
Through the Kahanga-hangang Pilipinas’ program APDEC hopes to develop an ever-growing list of MSME and government partners across the country. These partnerships are managed from merchant portfolio building, business development, product curating, to brand building.
Rafael told the BusinessMirror in an online interview their main goal is to help MSMEs sell their products online through www.speedgifts.ph. SpeedGifts is the online gifting platform of the Airspeed Group and will be the main platform to be used for selling products. Kahanga-hangang Pilipinas is a tourism-centric program and driver for growth as it takes online buyers on a virtual tour of the Philippines, promoting local tourist spots, while showcasing the products of partner MSMEs in these different areas. Further, buyers will be able to purchase these products online directly from the SpeedGifts platform (www.speedgifts.ph), while Airspeed handles the delivery needs.
The DTI commended APDEC for going the extra mile to help MSMEs to bounce back from the doldrums and thrive. “We have always been a huge supporter of MSMEs. We promise to continue helping entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses- here in the new normal and beyond.” For its part, major local systems integrator Radenta Technologies will offer a free three-month trial on Microsoft Office 365 Business Basic from March to September this year. Further, residents from those areas affected by Typhoon “Odette” will get an additional three months free for a total of six months.
“This effort is in line with Radenta’s aim to help small businesses and schools get back on track at the tail end of the pandemic as well as boost productivity in the work force,” Radenta Technologies President and CEO Randall Lozano told the BusinessMirror in an e-mail interview.