By Katrina Gracia Consebido
President Rodrigo Duterte has recognized the role played by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) during the Puregold Sari-Sari Store Negosyo Convention 2022 on Wednesday, May 18.
In his speech,Duterte said his administration has “always recognized small- and medium-sized enterprises as one of the backbones of our economy.”
“With the countless jobs that SMEs produce for the country’s growing labor force, they aid in our aim to utilize our people’s talents and in our fight to reduce hunger and poverty,” he said.
Duterte also noted the vulnerability of SMEs to “external shocks such as financial crises, disasters, and forced changes in the business movement and environment” which was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As our SMEs are exposed to meaningful exchanges with suppliers, manufacturers and fellow entrepreneurs, they are pushed to adopt innovations and strategies that would help them achieve stability and success,” he said.
He also thanked Puregold supermarket for “making it the company’s fundamental purpose” to help SMEs.
“In the years to come, it is my genuine hope that Puregold will continue to devise enabling business practices for its customers and stakeholders,” he said. – ag
