Village Connect
The Women’s Business Council of the Philippines (WomenbizPH) is set to conduct a strategic support program to address the needs of country’s recovering economy while showcasing female-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at the forefront from July 29 to 31 at the Event Area, Building A Lower Ground, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, which will be followed by a virtual exhibit from August 1 to 20, 2022.
WomenbizPH, the lead private sector partner of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is offering to assist up to 120 women-owned MSMEs through the Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair to equip them with the necessary skills and tools for business continuity in 2022 and beyond.
With over 99.5% of registered businesses in the country belonging to small enterprises, and 54% of all these are run by women, the trade fair will seek to promote the products of women entrepreneurs to both the local and global markets.
The program is a collaboration with industry leaders such as logistics company Airspeed, Go Negosyo, and the International Labour Association, among many others, for the three-day event in support of MSMEs in the country towards recovery from the pandemic.
Airspeed, a part of SM Investments Corporation’s portfolio investments, is a known driver of MSME support in the country rooted in the principles of Airspeed Chairman and President Rosemarie P. Rafael, a fellow lady pioneer in the industry.
Rafael believes empowerment as a fundamental key in the success of any businesses.
“When people are empowered, it creates an innate desire of self-determination, which when nurtured could translate to positive results. Supporting women-owned businesses help build a ladder for more women to take their vision into ventures and pass on what they learn to empower others to follow suit,” said Airspeed’s Mrs. Rafael.
To get to know this thriving community of women entrepreneurs, everyone is invited to participate in the upcoming WomenbizPH’s Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair on the aforementioned dates or visit their Facebook page for more information.
‘Making it happen’ for MSMEs
Earlier this year, Airspeed through its digital arm, Amazing Philippines Digital Economy Corp. (APDEC) partnered with the Trade Department in another advocacy program, “Kahanga-hanga PH” which is geared towards the promotion of MSMEs nationwide.
The program supported local commerce in the tourism industry by taking shoppers on a virtual tour of the Philippines and allowing e-visitors to purchase products via the online platform speedgifts.ph.
In 2021, the logistics company improved its digital infrastructure primarily to help aid the micro, small and medium enterprises navigate around the shifting of the industry online and the prominence of e-commerce in the country.
To support these MSMEs in matters of logistics, Airspeed introduced new fulfillment hubs in Bacolod, Negros Occidental; Cubao, Quezon City; and Carmona, Cavite late last year. Through these new hubs, the company was able to support businesses in selling their products online and other back-end operations such as inventory management, warehousing, order fulfillment, and distribution.
