The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President George T. Barcelon posed for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to strengthen their networks and address their weaknesses in the face of growing competition.

PCCI President Barcelon said that while micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have a lot to gain from free trade agreements, these also pose potential threats in the form of increased competition from bigger competitors.

ASEAN and India, according to Barcelon, may help to build networks and bridge gaps to enhance the competitiveness of the micro, small, and medium enterprises.

He said that PCCI and other chambers of business can help MSMEs address their issues and obstacles and help them adapt to rapidly changing market demand, technological change, and capacity relating to knowledge, innovation and creativity through investment promotion, training and mentoring, and business-matching opportunities.

The MSMEs currently lack in resources such as finance; technology; skilled labor; market access and market information; bigger costs and smaller networks compared to big companies; inability to compete against bigger competitors in areas such as R&D and innovation; and lack of entrepreneurial zeal, capacity, and know-how.

Partnerships with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, and the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship through providing training and mentoring to MSMEs in areas of research and development, innovation, information communication technology, financial management, product quality, among others.

PCCI Head also cited matching opportunities among buyers and seller in Philippines and China through a partnership with Bank of China and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.