By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
DIPOLOG CITY – The enhanced Small and
Medium Entrepreneur (SME) Caravan officially kicked off here yesterday with a
brand new name SME Roving Academy.
Though sporting a new name, the activity’s core purpose has remained the
same since its inception in 2004 - that is to help individuals or groups who
want to go into business or are already into business through various programs
of the national government from product development, financial assistance, to
marketing - with the ultimate goal of improving their businesses, generate job
opportunities, and become major players in the regional and national economy.
Department of Trade and Industry-9 (DTI) Regional Director Nazrulla
Manzur explained to the participants the importance of the activity, saying: “The
Roving Academy is a breeding ground for start up businesses or enterprises.
Thru this, different concerned government agencies help in conceptualizing, and
eventually, implementing your desired businesses. They also help participants
thru the provision of business development services to make them competitive in
the domestic and export market.”
The services given through the Roving Academy is divided into two stages.
First is the learning stage where entrepreneurs are assisted through capability
building, market awareness for them to have a feel of the marketability of
their products, market readiness which helps entrepreneurs improve the quality
of their products. The last part of the learning stage is export readiness that
will help them penetrate certain markets. This will also show how competitive
their products are in the export markets.
The second stage of the Roving Academy is exporting. However, Dir. Manzur
did not touch on the second stage yet as most businesses in the region are
still in the first stage.
“As of the moment let’s not talk about it since we are still starting to
achieve the first stage. But I would like to reiterate to you that these
assistance are available and can be extended by the different line agencies
here with you today,” Manzur stressed.
Manzur encouraged all the participants to actively participate in and/or
ask questions to help them improve their businesses.
“I encourage all of you to participate and ask questions so that you will
know if your businesses have potential, or if you need skills and trainings,
these agencies can help you. We will be happy to assist you and help you
improve your businesses,” Manzur pointed out.
The 2013 SME Roving Academy will be going to other provinces in Zamboanga
Peninsula with Pagadian City as the next destination on July 3-4, then to Ipil,
Zamboanga Sibugay Province on July 5-6. The Zamboanga City and Isabela City leg
was moved to September this year. (PIA9)