Re-thinking the MSME support ecosystem to build back better from the pandemic and natural disasters

By Mr Hideki Kagohashi, Enterprise Development Specialist, ILO Country Office for the Philippines at the Strengthening resilience of women and youth-led micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSMEs) in the creative industry in the Philippines for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development policy workshop of UN DESA and DTI, 26 May 2022, Manila, Philippines

Statement | Manila, Philippines | 26 May 2022
The micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) sector in the Philippines is crucial in creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. It is deemed as the engine of economic growth, job creation and poverty eradication of the country. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted MSMEs, undermining their contributions to inclusive and sustainable growth.

Bringing onboard relevant MSME stakeholders in the Philippines in an inclusive manner, the policy workshop of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), provided outcomes and policy recommendations that will contribute to expanding opportunities to elevate MSME resilience, in particular, through the effective use of e-commerce models and digital technology. The workshop focused on the creative industry sector that has grown into an important pillar of the national economy.

The session on Initiatives on Strengthening MSME Resilience in the Philippines presented strategies, initiatives and good practices on strengthening MSME resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters in the Philippines to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

Mr Hideki Kagohashi, Enterprise Development Specialist of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines (ILO CO-Manila) delivered the presentation. Congressman Christopher De Venecia, District Representative of the Pangasinan 4th District and representatives from the United Nations in the Philippines; Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA) in Kenya; and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) also joined him in the session.