The Department of Trade and Industry launched the E-commerce Caravan in April 2016. The series of Negosyo Center Seminars on Expanding Your Business through E-Commerce were held in Davao City, Santiago City in Isabella, and Baguio City. In its first month, the E-commerce Caravan attracted over 700 prospective online merchants.
“By introducing e-commerce, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide are exposed to a wider range of options on how to expand their market reach and do business with ease,” said Supervising Undersecretary for E-Commerce Prudencio M. Reyes, Jr.
The e-commerce seminars are designed to engage MSMEs into becoming online merchants. The seminars provide a venue for e-commerce champions, gurus, and service providers to share their know-how and expertise on e-commerce. Participants learn how to avail of existing facilities such as e-payment, logistics, customer relations management, as well as how to strengthen brand presence, brand marketing, and ensure consumer protection.
“There are no geographical limitations, operation is 24 hours, 7 days a week, targeted buyers are close to 45 million in the Philippines alone, and businesses can already go beyond the brick and mortar setting,” Reyes added.
Based on preliminary reports from the regions, the four (4) seminars encouraged nearly 250 MSMEs to register on various e-commerce platforms and take the next step towards taking their business online.
Earlier this month, the E-commerce Caravan went to Iloilo City where 170 prospective online entrepreneurs attended the seminar.
“We are off to a good start. At the end of the year, our target is to enable over 2,500 MSMEs to take their business online. The e-commerce seminars will help us reach this goal,” said Director Virgilio P. Fulgencio, E-Commerce Office Head.
The e-commerce caravan supports the implementation of the Philippine E-Commerce Roadmap 2016-2020. PECR 2016- 2020 presents the strategic plans, policies, and other support measures to harness the benefits of e-commerce.
MSMEs are invited to participate in the free e-commerce seminars in May during the Negosyo, Konsyumer Atbp (NKATB) events: May 13 in Butuan City; May 24 in General Santos City; and May 27 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur
For those who would like to participate in the June 10 e-commerce seminar in Cebu City, interested parties may contact Victoria Diaz of the DTI Central Visayas Business development Division at 255.0036 local 602.
NKATB is a DTI initiative to bring an integrated menu of DTI services and programs to MSMEs across the country.
For more information on the services of the DTI, log-on to http://www.dti.gov.ph
