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Marcos eyes building state-owned mall in PH for MSMEs

Philippines | National

Marcos eyes building state-owned mall in PH for MSMEs

By Joseph Pedrajas

JAKARTA, Indonesiaâ€”President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is planning to build state-owned malls in the Philippines to promote micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

Speaking before reporters Tuesday as he left for Singapore for another state visit, Marcos Jr. said he came up with the idea after Indonesian President Joko Widodo toured him at a mall run by the government here.

"'Yun pala, yung mall na pinakita samin, gobyerno ang may-ari. At saka yung produkto na pinabibili doon sa mall, lahat lokal, lahat MSMEs, lahat maliit (I found out that the mall he showed me is owned by the government. And the products there were from small and local business owners, all MSMEs," he said, referring to the Sarinah Mall.

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"Pagka masyado nang lumaki, 'di na sila pwede doon sa mall. Malilipat na sila doon sa regular mall (Once the business expands, it is no longer allowed there. It will be transferred to a regular mall)," he added.

The President said the Philippines, in which 99 percent of business enterprises are MSMEs, also has the same program, the One Town One Product (OTOP), but its vendors need to learn more about proper marketing. Among Marcos Jr.'s plan during the campaign period is to promote small business owners.

"Kailangan natin turuan 'yung packaging, yung market, kung ano yung hinahanap sa merkado (We need to teach them how to do packaging, how to market, what is being looked for in the market), how do you business plan?" Marcos Jr. said.

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