PCCI to set up Center for Innovaton and Entrepreneurship
Photo shows PCCI President Benedicto V. Yujuico (4th from left) and DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez (5th from left) with the other officers of PCCI (L-R) Perry Ferrer, Chair, PCCI Trade and Industry; Alfredo M. Yao, Director for Trade and Industry; George T. Barcelon, Chair, Utilities and Legislative; Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Director for CSR and Treasurer; Francis Chua, Director for International Affairs; Edgardo Lacson, Director for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and DTI Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba and Asec. Jean Pacheco.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the largest business organization in the country, will set-up the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to serve as “incubator” for “start-up” businesses in the country.
In his meeting with DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, PCCI President Benedicto V. Yujuico laid out his plans in the next two years of his Presidency, one of which is the CIE, which will complement DTI’s Regional Inclusive Innovation Center.
“Innovation and Entrepreneurship are the core programs of my Presidency. Its a personal advocacy because I’ve proven these concepts to be effective drivers not only in helping businesses grow, but also having an entire cycle of business development,” Yujuico said.
Yujuico added that PCCI will strengthen its partnership with governement and other stakeholders to establish an innovation ecosystem that provides greater opportunity to businesses in the country. Essentially, the CIE will work to handhold and mentor start-ups across the country with potential to grow and become big.
DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez expressed his support to Yujuico's current thrust on innovation -- particularly on the set-up CIE and looks forward to collaborate with PCCI in strengthening DTI’s Regional Inclusive Innovation Center.
Meanwhile, Yujuico also discussed with Lopez the effect of the Coronavirus on the supply chain. PCCI Industry Committee Chair Perry Ferrer said that although the industry is still experiencing a shortage of raw materials due to the slowdown of factory operations in China, he expressed appreciation that the issue on cargo has been addressed.
On Ease of Doing Business, DTI expressed interest to collaborate with PCCI, through the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), in the search for Most Business Friendly LGUs -- an award given by PCCI during its annual Philippine Business Conference. DTI ASec. Jean Pacheco also proposed to create a DTI-PCCI Technical Working Group on Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI).
PCCI and DTI also agreed to proceed with the roll-out of the training program for MSMEs using the MSME guide to Disaster Resilience.