CITEM joins MSME Week 2024 Opening

By Elie Satuito
July 09, 2024

CITEM OIC Department Manager for Food and Other Industries Rowena Mendoza addressing MSME Week 2024 opening day audience on July 8, 2024 at the Philippine Trade Training Center - Global MSME Academy in Pasay City.

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) took part in the opening day activities of “MSME Week 2024” with the main theme of “Innovative and Elevate: Empowering MSMEs for Sustainable Growth” on July 08, 2024 as organized by the DTI Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City.

Representing the agency was Ms. Rowena G. Mendoza, CITEM OIC Department Manager for Food and Other Industries. Held at the PTTC Building - Global MSME Academy in Pasay City, Mendoza introduced CITEM's rationale and mission, explaining its role and programs in promoting Philippine MSMEs engaged in export trade in various industries.

She then joined the panel discussion focusing on the role of government in promoting innovation in the marketing of MSMEs. With focus on the importance of digitization and online presence for sustainable development and trade capabilities of today’s MSMEs, Mendoza cited CITEM’s two major B2B digital platforms that have effectively assisted local exhibitors to overcome the challenges brought about by the pandemic. These platforms are FAME+ for home, fashion, and lifestyle sectors; and IFEXConnect for food and related industries.

CITEM’s Rowena Mendoza on stage with DTI Undersecretary for MSME Development Group Cristina Roque (3rd from right), OIC-Executive Director for PTTC-Global MSME Academy Fe Avila (2nd from right), Executive Director for BPI Foundation Carmina Marquez (right),and fellow discussion panelists from other DTI-attached agencies, namely (from left): Wally Don Calderon, Head of Innovation Advocacy Group - SB Corporation; Rafaelita Castro, Division Chief of Marketing Innovation Division - Export Marketing Bureau; and Edwin Pasahol, Chief - Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development.

Of the timely digital launch, ”Our exhibitors were able to adapt to the new changes in the way things are done in trade exhibitions. These platforms have allowed them to display their products in the best or most creative way possible due to the programs’ creative amelioration that have resulted in more curated content for exhibitors and buyers alike.”

She then invited the audience to this year’s Manila FAME, the agency’s trade show for home, fashion, and lifestyle, for a firsthand look at how digital marketing effectively impacts local businesses and prepares them for the global market. It will be held from October 17-19, 2024 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City.

The MSME Week 2024 will run until July 12, 2024 at the PTTC Building with various development programs for MSMEs and mini trade fairs open to the public.