In a bid to invigorate the Philippines’ small business sector, a government-backed mentorship programme has launched its second cohort in the National Capital Region (NCR). The Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) initiative, a collaboration between the Department of Trade and Industry and Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship-Go Negosyo, has enrolled 48 business owners in its latest online iteration.
The scheme aims to address three critical pillars of entrepreneurial success: Mentorship, Money, and Market access. By providing free business coaching, the programme seeks to enhance the capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the archipelago.
At the launch event, Winston Singun, NCR’s Officer-in-Charge Regional Director, presided over proceedings. Notable attendees included Ma. Cristina Roque, Undersecretary of the DTI MSME Development Group, underscoring the government’s commitment to fostering a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.
This latest cohort reflects a growing recognition of the SME sector’s importance to the Philippine economy. As the country grapples with post-pandemic recovery and regional economic pressures, initiatives like KMME may prove crucial in cultivating a more resilient and dynamic business landscape.
The success of this programme could offer valuable insights for other developing economies seeking to bolster their SME sectors. However, the true measure of its efficacy will lie in the long-term performance of its mentees and their ability to navigate the complexities of the Filipino market.
