The latest news and trends in the domestic market.
PLDT and Smart advance MSME digital resilience at inaugural Coconut Philippines Trade Fair 2025
The local coconut industry contributes significantly to the Philippines’ export earnings, but coconut farmers remain to be among the country’s poorest of the poor. To help improve the lives of coconut farmers by upskilling and enabling them to spot digital threats, PLDT and Smart supported the inaugural Coconut Philippines Trade Fair (CTF) 2025, organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and the Coconut Farmers Industry and Development Plan (CFIDP).
As part of their award-winning eBizNovation program, the PLDT Group led a “Maging CyberSmart Against Online Scams” session during the event, equipping the participating micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the coconut sector with practical cybersecurity knowledge to help protect their businesses from online threats. This initiative reflects PLDT and Smart’s active support for the national government’s efforts to accelerate digital transformation and strengthen the resilience of Filipino entrepreneurs in an increasingly connected world. The support is also aligned with the drive of PLDT’s B2B arm PLDT Enterprise to support the digitalization of businesses, particularly MSMEs.
Over 150 MSMEs join DTI’s Panubli-on Regional Trade Fair 2025
ILOILO CITY (PIA) — Over 150 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from across Western Visayas took part in the Panubli-on Regional Trade Fair 2025, officially launched by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Western Visayas at the SM City Iloilo.
Now in its 22nd year, the regional trade fair ran until November 10 with the theme “Local Ingenuity, New Opportunities.”
It served as a venue for entrepreneurs from the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental to promote local products, expand their market reach, and explore new business opportunities.
In her message, DTI Western Visayas OIC-Regional Director Ma. Dinda Tamayo said the fair continues to be a genuine platform for MSMEs to showcase the region’s creativity, craftsmanship, and heritage.
“The real reason for mounting this regional fair is to provide a genuine platform to showcase our heritage and to take pride in the relentless drive of our MSMEs to be better and the best. The products you see here are not just a transformation of raw materials, but the craftsmanship and creativity imbibed in them,”Tamayo said.
Philippine MSMEs keep growing despite challenges, says ADB
Micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) growth has stalled due to continued difficulties accessing credit, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said.
In its Asia Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Monitor 2025, the ADB said critical constraints continue to impede MSME development.
“A primary challenge is the lack of acceptable collateral to access credit, which, along with high credit risk perceptions and operational costs, makes MSME lending high-risk and low-return for financial institutions,” it said.
As of the end of 2024, the Philippines had 1.2 million MSMEs, representing 99.6% of all registered establishments.
MSMEs employed approximately 6.3 million individuals, with employment declining 1.8% year on year.
Philippine MSMEs keep growing despite challenges, says ADB
Empowering MSMEs through financing, digital tools, and upskilling
It is often stated that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of an economy, recognizing their contributions to employment, income generation, and economic growth. However, various challenges and roadblocks, such as access to capital, digital transformation, and a lack of capacity-building, have given rise to questions about the futures of these enterprises.
MSMEs made up 99.63% of the country’s 1.246 million registered businesses and provided nearly 67% of employment, amounting to about 6.35 million jobs, according to the latest numbers of the Philippines Statistics Authority. This demonstrates how a thriving MSME sector brings economic value and visible societal change.
“MSMEs are pivotal in poverty alleviation, boosting regional economies, and enhancing domestic resilience,” GCash for Business General Manager Jong Layug said in an email interview with BusinessWorld.
To maintain growth and help MSMEs thrive even more, Mr. Layug noted collaborations between the government and the private sector that could ensure that they are more included in national growth strategies. He noted, as an example, the Department of Trade and Industry’s partnership with GCash for Business. The partnership aims to establish GCash for Business hubs within Negosyo Centers as a means to educate merchants and provide onboarding assistance for prospective users to effectively use their platforms.
Ready support for budding entrepreneurs
There has never been a more promising time to start a business in the Philippines. Building a successful enterprise requires four key ingredients: a compelling idea, the drive to pursue it, access to capital, and a strong, welcoming community.
While the first two depend on the individual, the latter are increasingly within reach — thanks to expanding government programs and a growing culture of support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Earlier this year, the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) financing arm, Small Business Corp. (SBCorp.), announced that it was allocating over P8 billion in 2025 to support MSMEs through three new loan programs: Business Expansion Financing, Purchase Order Financing, and Franchise Funding.
In addition to these new programs, P2 billion will be allocated for the continuation of the Enterprise Rehabilitation Financing program, and P3 billion for the RISE UP Multi-Purpose Loan program.
According to the DTI, these financing programs will be crucial tools in supporting MSMEs’ growth and job creation. In particular, the three new programs will support existing businesses in expanding or diversifying their business, as well as returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who wish to license a franchise.
✨ Celebrate Filipino culture, creativity, and craftsmanship at the 2025 DTI-Bagong Pilipinas National Arts & Crafts Fair (NACF)! ✨
🗓 October 23–29, 2025
📍 Megatrade Halls 1–3, Level 5, Mega B, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
✅ FREE ADMISSION!
Discover the works of 300 exhibitors showcasing handwoven textiles, arts and crafts, fashion accessories, artisanal food, and heritage products from MSMEs and indigenous communities supported by the developmental projects of Senator Loren Legarda.
Enjoy a weeklong cultural experience featuring live demonstrations, interactive workshops, business talks, stage performances, and special exhibitions like the GAMABA and SLT Pavilions.
Cultural enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and buyers—don’t miss this vibrant platform for heritage preservation, enterprise promotion, and sustainable development!
#2025DTIBagongPilipinasNationalArtsAndCraftsFair #2025NationalArtsAndCraftsFair #2025NACF #BagongPilipinas #iamDTIph
COCONUT Philippines Pavilion
Get ready to experience the best of the Philippine coconut industry at the World Coconut Congress 2025!
September 24–26, 2025
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
SMX Convention Center, Manila, Philippines
DTI Gears Up for the 2025 National Trade Fair, Championing Green Innovation and Filipino MSMEs
Get ready to experience Filipino innovation at its finest! The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) proudly announces the much-anticipated return of the DTI Bagong Pilipinas National Trade Fair, happening from July 23 to 27, 2025, at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.
Now in its latest edition, the fair brings together close to 300 carefully selected exhibitors from across the Philippines. These enterprises will showcase a dynamic range of proudly local products—from heirloom crafts and wellness essentials to upcycled home décor, contemporary fashion, and environmentally responsible solutions. This year’s lineup promises not just variety but excellence, as each exhibitor has been chosen for their commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. Read More.
Celebrate Love and Local at the DTI Wedding Fair 2025
Soon-to-wed couples, wedding professionals, supporters of local products and commercial buyers are invited to the first-ever DTI Wedding Fair—featuring rich collections of elegant and sophisticated Filipino products enterprises serving the vibrant wedding and social events industry. Happening on June 27–29, 2025 at SMX Convention Center Aura, SM Aura Premier, Taguig City, this three-day event is free of charge and promises to turn wedding planning into an inspiring, immersive, and meaningful experience.
The DTI grand showcase will promote authentic works of Filipino fashion designers, jewelers, gift artisans, florists, venue curators and stylists, cakes and pastry makers, caterers, wine and beverage makers, personal care, make up and beauty artisans, photographers, videographers, and event planners. Read More.
DTI Buying Mission Strengthens Market Access for Sorsogon MSMEs
SORSOGON, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Sorsogon Provincial Office, in partnership with the Bureau of Market Development, Promotions, and OTOP (BMDPO), successfully staged the 2025 Buying Mission in Sorsogon on June 25–26, fostering vital market linkages between local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and Manila-based buyers. Read More.
DTI: ANGAT Negosyo, ASENSO Trabaho, ALAGAng Konsyumer para sa Bagong Pilipinas