DTI launches Makati hub to empower MSMEs

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)  on Thursday launched a hub to provide retail space for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The launching of the Bagong Pilipinas MSME Hub, located at the ground floor of the DTI Filinvest building in Makati City, was led by Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque.

“The DTI Bago Pilipinas MSME Hub is our commitment to Filipino entrepreneurs that deserve to be seen, supported, and celebrated, and given a chance to make it. And we at the DTI and the Philippine government will do our best to give them this chance. Whether locally or globally,” Roque said in her remarks.

The Trade chief said the flagship hub forms part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen the country’s MSME ecosystem through enhanced innovation, wider market access, and deeper integration into national value chains as for many regional MSMEs, the journey into mainstream retail has long been hindered by high operational costs, limited networks, and barriers to entering high-density commercial districts. 

“Most importantly, the participation here is free and definitely we will assist you as best and as aggressively as we can. This is also to ensure that our MSMEs from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao can actually showcase their products and are given this opportunity to actually compete here in NCR or in Manila. This hub is curated to highlight not just the products but the stories and the communities,” Roque said.

“The DTI and the Philippine government are here to make this happen for you. We've done this for many, those who have actually joined the trade shows, and we will continue to do this for our beloved MSMEs. Why? The MSMEs are 99.5% of the business establishment and actually comprise 60% of the labor force. So this is a sector that we definitely cannot ignore… We level up the MSMEs, we level up our GDP (gross domestic product),” she said.

The Trade chief said enabling MSMEs to access Makati’s vibrant commercial ecosystem, the hub would become a testing ground for product improvement, a venue for brand elevation, and a stepping stone toward partnerships with institutional buyers and premium retailers. 

The hub is also envisioned to evolve throughout the years with rotating showcases, regional spotlights, and thematic features to ensure wider participation of MSMEs nationwide. 

The DTI Bagong Pilipinas MSME Hub is open from Mondays to Fridays, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. —RF, GMA Integrated News