MSMEs appeal for listing fee exemption

CEBU, Philippines - Amid the popularly-known challenge on the access to credit, the micro, small and medium enterprise sector (MSME) in Cebu now appeals to grocery store and supermarket owners to exempt them from paying listing fees to give them better chances of accessing a wider market.

Filipino-Cebuano Business Club Inc. (FCBI) president Rey Calooy said that the listing fees imposed by grocery store operators are too high for small-scale manufacturers and suppliers, making it difficult for them to offer their products in large establishments.

A manufacturer has to pay a listing fee, ranging from P5,000 to P10,000 per stock keeping unit per store outlet, for his products to be listed in the database of the grocery store.

Calooy cited that such exemption shall further boost the potential of MSMEs in generating employment and contributing to the economic growth of the country since it would be easier for small entrepreneurs to market their products.

He emphasized the purpose of leveling the playing field for all players, whether big or small, in the domestic market to enable them to compete with global manufacturers.

"This could also be in preparation for the ASEAN economic integration. If we, small companies, could not even access local establishments in our very own country, how much more can we compete in the global market," he stated.

It was last October 11 that the Cebu City local government officials, supermarket owners, representatives of government agencies and FCBI convened to discuss on the imposition of the listing of products for MSMEs.

The supermarket and mall owners will be given fifteen days to reply to the position paper submitted by FCBI before the Cebu City Council shall pass an ordinance to the national Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) council that will possibly be effective in Cebu and other regions.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Cebu business development division chief Elias Tecson said that the resolution shall possibly include the provision of space for MSMEs in malls and supermarkets to promote their products.

Calooy said that the group remains hopeful that mall owners shall give MSMEs that account the majority of the businesses in the country a chance to capture a large market.

He also encouraged the other party to consider the provision of 20=percent space of their supermarkets to be allotted for MSMEs.

He pointed out that if a product manufactured by a small-scale business shall not be a hit to the buying public, grocery operators could have the right to pull it out in their establishment.

Calooy further suggested that national chains of supermarkets should establish a customer service area in their local outlets dedicated to be a purchasing office to accommodate small manufacturers and suppliers. —/JOB (FREEMAN)