DTI/GTZ Launch BDS Sign MOA

At least 11 new services aim to increase business performance to promote higher profitability of the small and medium enterprises (SME) in Aklan’s top sectors – agriculture, aquaculture, processed foods, loom weaving, GTH (gifts, toys and housewares), and tourism was launched in Kalibo, Aklan on Wednesday, February 27. It was held at Hernanis, Kalibo where entrepreneurs from Aklan attended.

The new business development services (BDS), to be offered with very reasonable price tags, are on basic livelihood skills training, bookkeeping and accounting, business planning, cooperatives development, culinary arts and food service, financial statement preparation, food safety, motivational training and team building, organic agriculture, processed food product development, and solid waste management, among others.

BDS comprises all non-financial services that improve the performance of enterprises, their access to markets and their ability to compete. Traditionally, many of these services are offered by government agencies, for example the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The BDS component of the Private Sector promotion (SMEDSEP) program tries to develop fee based BDS offered by private institutions in order to meet the demand for BDS in a more adequate and sustainable way. During the process, the DTI shifts its role from being a service provider to facilitator of the private market development for BDS.

SMEDSEP is a development cooperation project between the Philippines and Germany. It aims to improve the business and investment climate for SME in the Philippines, especially in the Visayas. SMEDSEP contributes to the efforts of the Philippine government to improve the framework conditions for private sector development in the country. SMEDSEP is implemented in partnership by DTI at national, regional and provincial levels in behalf of the Philippine government and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) in behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The BDS providers in Aklan are Athena Business Solutions and Management Services and Skill Share Plus Consultancy. These two private BDS service providers in Aklan formally sealed their partnership with SMEDSEP during the provincial services launching and signing of Memorandum of Agreement with DTI and GTZ on Wednesday, February 27.

GTZ is an international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations owned by the German Government. For 30 years, it has been providing forward looking contributions to political, economic, ecological and social development in partner countries. GTZ supports reform and change processes in an increasingly globalize world, often working under difficult conditions. GTZ’s major approach to facilitate change is promoting capacity development of people and partner organizations as well as improving institutions and frame conditions in partner countries. The joint projects and programs are outcome and impact oriented and contributes towards socioeconomic progress. /MP