Planning seminar convenes Smedsep member agencies

Participating agencies in the Small and Medium Enterprise Development for Sustainable Employment Program (Smedsep) will gather in a four-day operational planning workshop for assessment of the program and implementation of the third component project.

The workshop set on January 15 to 18 expects about 55 participants comprised of the regional and provincial directors of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) from the Visayas, director and staff of the DTI Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BSMED), national and Visayas are managers of the Small Business Corporation (SBC), secretariat of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC), German Development Cooperation (GTZ)-Smedsep team and representative of other GTZ programs.

In a statement, Smedsep office announced that the operational planning events will have to be integrated in the third component project of the Smedsep Phase 2 program.

This decision has been taken during the June 2007 bilateral negotiations between the Republic of the Philippines represented by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and Federal Republic of Germany represented by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The third component is to enhance the organizational development and management competencies of the Philippine National Competitiveness Council (NCC).

 The objectives of the 2008 SMEDSEP operational planning workshop are; to review and assess 2007 SMEDSEP achievements based on 2007 Operational Plans; validate and agree on SMEDSEP results chains and milestones, key stakeholders, indicator matrix and results monitoring plan in view of the integration of a third component on the National Competitiveness Council (NCC); and prepare and agree on 2008 Operational Plans.

The outputs of the workshop will be presented to high ranking officials of the DTI and representatives of the German Embassy and German Development Cooperation in the morning of 18 January 2008. This will provide them information and get their continuing support for the SMEDSEP implementation.

SMEDSEP is a development cooperation project between the Republic of the Philippines and the Federal Republic of Germany. It aims at improving the Business and Investment Climate for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines, especially in the Visayas.

SMEDSEP contributes to the efforts of the Philippine Government to improve the framework conditions for private sector development in the country. SMEDSEP is implemented in partnership of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at national, regional and provincial levels and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

GTZ is an international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations owned by the German Government. For 30 years, it has been providing forward looking contributions to political, economic, ecological and social development in partner countries.

It supports reform and change processes in an increasingly globalized world, often working under difficult conditions. GTZ‘s major approach to facilitate change is promoting capacity development of people and partner organizations as well as improving institutions and frame conditions in partner countries. The joint projects and programs are outcome and impact oriented. They contribute towards socioeconomic progress.   – Ehda M. Dagooc