DTI mulls asking supermarkets to allot 5% of shelf space for MSMEs

DTI is aggressive in giving support to MSMEs as the sector accounts for 99 percent of business establishments in the country, and more than 50 percent of the total employment. (PNA photo)

MANILA, July 27— The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is eyeing to mandate supermarkets to allocate 5 percent of their shelf space for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez told reporters Thursday that this initiative would provide the country’s MSMEs greater market access.

“This is a new initiative for MSME support. SM (is) open to partner on this. We can also mandate others, as being done in Indonesia, (as) we heard,” Lopez said.

DTI is aggressive in giving support to MSMEs as the sector accounts for 99 percent of business establishments in the country, and more than 50 percent of the total employment.

Among DTI’s programs that support MSMEs are Negosyo Centers; trainings and capacity building through the SME Roving Academy, Philippine Trade Training Center, and Design Center of the Philippines; shared service facilities; Go Lokal! Stores; and Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) as a microfinance program. (PNA)