Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) commended the ASEAN Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network (AMEN), a modules-based training program that the Philippines initiated when it chaired the ASEAN-Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) in 2017.

Trade Secretary Fred Pascual, President Marcos, ASEAN-BAC Philippines Chair Joey Concepcion, and PCCI’s George Barcelon pose for a selfie at the ASEAN Summit in Labuan, Bajo, Indonesia last month. (Go Negosyo)

The legacy project, headed by Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, received positive feedback during the 15th ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (ACCMSME) Meeting last May 22 to 26 in Bangkok, Thailand, for the efficient delivery of its targeted outcomes and outputs, which ultimately are designed to contribute to MSME development and overall prosperity in the region.

In response, Concepcion said he was delighted that other nations were now benefiting from mentorship.

"Access to mentorship is critical to an entrepreneur's success, and with AMEN, we are able to share this with the rest of ASEAN," he said.

"MSMEs comprise the majority of the businesses in the Philippines, and this is almost the same for our neighboring countries. Nano, micro, and small entrepreneurs are the most in need, and we will continue to make sure that this legacy project will continue," he added.

Legacy projects incorporate private-public partnerships (PPPs) to promote human capital development and entrepreneurship in the region, with each country initiating its legacy project during its chairmanship of the private sector advisory body of the ASEAN.

Last May 23, the Project Management Office, led by project executive director Engr. Merly Cruz, presented the achievements and milestones of the AMEN Project Phase 2 thus far, together with the challenges encountered, lessons learned, and recommendations put forward by the project stakeholders.

AMEN's Phase 2 is nearing completion after being rolled out in February 2023. Phase 2 involves the regional rollout of the project after having been successfully piloted in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

The AMEN Project Phase 2 is implemented by the ASEAN-BAC, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

AMEN's 10 modules cover subjects ranging from Entrepreneurial Mind-setting and Values Formation to more practical tutoring on Enterprise Accounting and Financial Management to Good Governance. Through AMEN, regional experts and dialogue partners share their best practices in helping their local MSMEs, bringing formal training to millions of MSMEs in the region.

Go Negosyo originated the blueprint for AMEN and patterned it after its Kapatid Mentor Micro-Enterprises (KMME) Program, which it runs in partnership with the country's Department of Trade and Industry. The KMME program has been implemented in the Philippines since 2016 and has since produced more than 13,000 graduates.

AMEN aims to certify and train at least 10 mentors from each ASEAN member state and mentor at least 30 MSMEs from each ASEAN member state. There are an estimated 70 million MSMEs in the ASEAN, responsible for generating 85 percent of the jobs and 45 percent of the GDP in the region.