The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) partnered with an e-commerce platform to assist micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) towards digitalization.

The One Town One Product (OTOP) Philippines program collaborated with Somago Online Shopping to further promote local products by onboarding MSMEs owners to have their e-retail stores.

DTI Assistant Secretary Leonila Baluyut stated that they will continue to strive to increase the number of participating MSMEs in the platform to provide more opportunities for business owners in the country.

“We can strengthen OTOP’s digitalization by improving the e-marketing and digital campaigns with Somago so that more people will engage in the platform,” she said.

About 80 MSME owners, also called OTOPreneurs, are actively selling their products on the e-commerce platform, as of May.

Meanwhile, Somago Online Shopping Chief Executive Officer Tim Zhou emphasized that through the application, MSMEs will have a bigger platform to market and sell their items nationwide including hard-to-reach areas. 

“SOMAGO can provide more support to increase OTOP’s online popularity by leveling-up our marketing collaboration via social media,” he stated.

He added that the initiative can also give the consumers a chance to conveniently patronize and buy items online anytime.

Both parties pledged to push further in upgrading, upskilling, and upsizing MSMES and provide owners a bigger and better way to market and sell their products across the country and even in the international marketplace. 

The OTOP program will also continue to assist communities to determine, develop, support, and promote products and services that are deeply rooted from their cultural identity and comparative advantage. (PIA 3)