Concepcion pitches for inclusive digital adoption, says it will empower MSMEs

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Business Advisory Council (BAC) Philippines Chairperson Joey Concepcion highlighted the role that digitalization plays in making the markets and economy more inclusive  for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion gives a message in the anniversary celebration of Philippine Association of Meat Processors, Inc. at Conrad Manila on Aug. 8, 2023. (Photo from Concepcion’s Facebook page)

During the Laging Handa press briefing on Wednesday, Sept. 13, the Go Negosyo founder said that “digitalization is hastening the chance, I mean, the speed for MSMEs to really access marketplace.”

“Digitalization really is creating a more inclusive environment for our MSMEs so, that is a big plus,” he stressed.

Concepcion cited Go Negosyo’s Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME), a program that aims to help MSMEs scale up their business thru coaching and mentoring.

He explained that all of their training and coaching can be accessed online.

“So, mas maraming tao ang pwedeng mag-aral, matuto dito sa mga online training programs hindi katulad dati sa telebisyon, pwede ka magturo pero one way lang siya (So, more people can study, learn from online training programs unlike before that you can teach from the television but it’s only one way),” he said.

“Ngayon, kung may question ang isang MSME pwede silang magtanong kasi (Now, if one MSME has a question, they can ask because) online either in Zoom or many other platforms.”

But access to mentorship is just one of the benefits that digitalization brings since it also provides access to financing via banks in e-wallets.

“Yung pagpapautang ngayon (The lending now) you can already do it via through the digital platforms that they have. You can go to the internet and go to many of these banks that lend mga MSMEs and you can access the credit,” Concepcion said.

Social media is also crucial on how MSMEs reach their markets and advertise on different platforms, he stressed, highlighting how these platforms have become “alternatives” for MSMEs to market their products and become micro influencers themselves.

“These platforms are what we were saying that these are making the economy more inclusive.”

Concepcion made the same point during the ASEAN Business Investment Summit last Sept. 3 when he met with Kok Ping Soon, CEO of Singapore Business Federation.

There, he said that digitalization will also benefit nanopreneurs, or one-man businesses, by granting them access to marketing tools and digital payment solutions.