BAY, Laguna – A top executive of the country’s largest micro-finance group disclosed on Thursday that he felt honored to be one of 143 other business leaders and pioneer mentors for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the ASEAN’s 10 member countries.
Dr. Jaime Aristotle Alip, founder and chairman of the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development-Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD-MRI), joined the business leaders and entrepreneurs during President Rodrigo Duterte’s launch of the ASEAN Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network (AMEN) at the Solaire Hotel in Pasay City on November 12.
“Being part of the launch of AMEN is an honor and privilege. It is an honor to share our knowledge to this generation’s hopeful entrepreneurs and a privilege to play a greater role in uplifting the lives of our people,” Alip said.
AMEN, considered as the largest mentoring program in the ASEAN region, is a regional private and public platform that will “promote and facilitate the exchange of entrepreneur mentors and best practice training modules for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises”.
“I am really hoping to contribute to the development of our country in the best way that I can,” he added, citing the President’s leadership and determination to push for MSME development in the country.
The President graced the opening of the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) 2017 and led the launch of the ASEAN Mentoring Program, assuring business leaders and entrepreneurs that he will make changes in the country’s general appropriations act or the annual budget “to pour more money on these micro, small and medium enterprises”.
The CARD-MRI said the ASEAN conference brings attention to business issues, investment opportunities, and directions for growth, especially for micro and small-scale entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia.
It welcomed the President’s statement recognizing that “the basic unit of the economy has always been moved by the MSMEs”.
In the ASEAN business gathering, the Chief Executive described it “an opportune time for government and business sectors, leaders across the regions who come together” and expressed optimism that “the ASEAN Mentors for Entrepreneurship Network would become a catalyst for inclusive prosperity that can be shared by all.” (Saul Pa-a/PNA)
