DAET, Camarines Norte, Nov.29 (PIA) - Various stakeholders of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has crafted programs, projects and activities aimed at promoting inclusive economic growth in the province of Camarines Norte, November 27 at Tin-Tin Apartele, Daet, here.

The activity was spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and participated by the Camarines Norte Provincial Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (CNPMSMEDC), Camarines Norte Association of Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officers (CNALEIPO), Camarines Norte Association of Business Permits and Licensing Officers (CNABPLO) and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Camarines Norte (PCCI-CN).

DTI Provincial Director Cynthia G. Olaguer said that the backbone of our economy is the business community and we need to do something to sustain our industries.

She said that in the province some of the priority products on processed foods that the province is famous are masapudrida and pandecillos and also on fine jewelries which are gold and silver.

"There is also a need to promote the information communication and technology in the province wherein there are people who are now engaged in graphic designs and animations but we don't have Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO)", she said.

Department of Trade and Industry Provincial Director Cynthia G. Olaguer discusses the importance of MSMEs in the economy during action planning workshop of stakeholders held Nov. 27 at Tin-Tin Apartele, Daet. (RBManlangit-PIA5/Camarines Norte)

She urged stakeholders to minimized duplication of resources and tackle gaps and issues in order to address these and on how to pursue ease of doing business by shortening the time in the acquisition of business permit.

Olaguer also announced the participation of the Camarines Norte in the Finest Food and Crafts Fair at Ayala Mall, Legazpi City on December 13-16 and the launching of the OTOP Philippines Hub-Flora Integrated Farms, Inc. in Daet on Dec. 11 and Diskwento Caravan in-front of the DTI provincial office this coming December.

Meanwhile, during the planning workshop CNLEIPO targeted the institutionalization of LEIPO; conduct training on product labeling, packaging and market matching; partnership with institutional buyers; promotion and advertisement and updating of Local Investment Incentive Code.

On the other hand, the CNBPLO will work out on the additional personnel for BPLOs; computerization of BPLOs in partnership with the Department of Information, Communication and Technology (DICT) and the conduct of caravan and creation of website per municipality.

The PCCI-CN planned to conduct seminars on value formation and entrepreneurial mind setting; sharing of data base, packaging and labeling; product forum; trade fairs exposure; training on social media; business plan for financing and assistance on how to acquire licensing from Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The government stakeholder CNPMSMEDC will lobby to LCEs for the creation of LEIPOs; dissemination of IEC materials; continuous training and benchmarking; tapping of institution that provide technologies, lobbying for ordinances supporting MSMEs, creation of provincial website for the product promotion, massive campaign on the importance of accreditation; strict enforcement of existing laws and ordinances and construction of Tourist Information Centers. (RBManlangit-PIA5/Camarines Norte)