Government shall create a favorable environment for MSMEs to thrive and ease their access to financing, facilitate their entry to larger markets and increase their productivity and efficiency. Almost half of MSMEs are engaged in wholesale and retail trade. Given this large number, government shall carry out programs to maximize their participation in supply and distribution systems within value chains for identified industry clusters. Business development services (BDS), including enhancements needed to boost productivity, will be provided for promising MSMEs. The government shall also build on existing programs, specifically the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Program, information campaigns, provincial caravans, and SME Centers.
In addition, government shall encourage the formation of new MSMEs. LGUs shall facilitate business registration, provide enabling environment in support of enterprise development, and fully implement MSME-related laws (e.g. Magna Carta for MSMEs, BMBE Law).
To complement the existing strategies identified under the SME development plan, four thematic areas shall be adopted: corporate social responsibility, climate change, gender, and migration. This approach shall also foster economic activity in the countryside. Government shall also assist in the development of programs that will encourage MSMEs to produce green products, and use environment-friendly processes. Business development services will maximize the use of local and sustainable sources such as waterlily, bamboo, coconut among others, and utilize materials in producing and marketing domestic and exportable products from these resources. Likewise, BDS will also educate MSMEs in processes that are non-threatening to the environment.