Digital platform leaders pledge support for MSMEs, nano-entrepreneurs

MANILA, Philippines — Leading digital platforms in the Philippines on Friday met with GoNegosyo to discuss how digital technology can come to the aid of the country’s micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and even nano-entrepreneurs.

Led by GoNegosyo founder Joey Concepcion and senior advisers William Dar and Josephine Romero, the group explored potential pathways and solutions, as well as gathered insights into the challenges faced by digital platforms in their efforts to integrate MSMEs into digital services.

“Digital technology will play an important role in making the economy more inclusive,” Concepcion said, citing in particular the Kapatid Angat Lahat sa Agri Program (KALAP), as he shared that taking advantage of digital technology would be a major strategy in achieving competitiveness and raising productivity in the country’s agriculture sector.

Digital platforms expressed willingness to help the MSMEs, as the former emphasized that the latter is a fast-growing segment.

They shared among their insights that the country needs to improve ease-of-doing-business for small businesses and improve infrastructure and connectivity, especially in the country’s far-flung areas.

Among those who attended the gathering from the side of digital platforms were key officers from Grab, Angkas, Shopee, Lalamove, Maya, Maya Bank, GCash, Packworks, LaunchGarage, Peddlr, Gentree Fund, Sarisuki, Kickstart Ventures and Ideaspace.

Agri-focused digital platforms Mayani, Agrabah Ventures and Farm Konek were also present.