Online MSME platform launched to promote sustainable products

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is urging micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to pursue sustainable production to take advantage of the growing demand for sustainable products and services.

As part of the push for MSMEs to participate in a circular economy, the DTI’s export promotions arm, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), has launched an online platform to promote sustainable products and services.

CITEM executive director Pauline Suaco-Juan said during the Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX) yesterday the signature event for sustainability is being held to promote not only competitive Philippine companies and products globally, but also to champion brands that are socially conscious and sustainable.

“The increasing global demand for sustainable products and services in the food and lifestyle sectors present opportunities for Philippines businesses,” she said.

Through the SSX event, she said the aim is to bring together MSMEs, solutions providers and stakeholders from local and international organizations to discuss and share sustainable practices.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the SSX event serves as a platform for businesses, particularly the SME manufacturing sector, to transition toward green growth.

He said the initiative is also in line with DTI’s efforts in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to bring MSMEs toward the path of sustainability and resilience.

Along with the SSX expo, online platform sustainability.ph was launched, which provides access to a directory of sustainability suppliers and other relevant data on the sustainability industry.

“As we launch the SSX website, sustainability.ph, we envision an online trade community taking shape, where business leaders, stakeholders and other relevant organizations are actively sharing sustainable product ideas and solutions and contributing to a circular economy and the sustainable development of various economic sectors,” Lopez said.

He said the agency has been undertaking several initiatives to promote sustainable consumption and production for MSMEs, including the DTI Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau taking the lead in developing the sustainable consumption tool kit for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ Committee on Consumer Protection.

The DTI, through the Consumer Protection Group (CPG), is also working with non-profit organization Plastic Credit Exchange in helping communities through a system of offsetting their plastic footprint by means of a market-based plastic credit mechanism.

In addition, DTI-CPG is involved in the Advanced Sustainable Consumption and Production Program seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with the support of GIZ and the UN.

DTI is likewise working with GIZ on the Green Economic Development program, which seeks to make MSMEs more competitive by helping them adopt climate-smart, environmental-friendly and inclusive strategies and measures.

Lopez said these initiatives are part of DTI’s sustainability and resilience agenda focused on four pillars: clean energy adoption, circular economy and green materials, future food, and business continuity.

“With this we leverage the tools of sustainability to improve the resilience of people and business,” he said.