CHRISTMAS BAZAAR at SM
From left: SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, and SM Retail Inc. President Chito Manalo Jr.
By Victoria “NIKE” De Dios
Cognizant of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic to the micro, small and medium enterprises, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez emphasized the importance of MSMEs in revitalizing the economy amid the pandemic during the launch of the SM Christmas Market at SM Megamall on November 17, 2020.
“The importance of our MSMEs cannot be understated: they account for more than 99% of the total number of establishments in the country as well as 62.4% of total employment. Because of this, they serve as our country’s economic backbone, even when they were also the most affected by the economic crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sec. Lopez.
Heeding to DTI’s “Buy Local, Go Lokal” nationwide advocacy campaign, the bazaar is aimed at supporting local MSMEs in response to the economic challenges prompted by the global pandemic. The participating MSMEs, which were nominated by DTI Provincial Offices, are given free selling spaces for the whole duration of the Bazaar–running from 7 November until the first week of January 2021 in all 74 SM Supermalls across the country.
He added, “Thus, this bazaar is timely for it not only supporting our affected MSMEs, but it will also give them an additional venue to sell their products for the Christmas season.”
The “Buy Local, Go Lokal” is the Department’s nationwide campaign calling both the public and private sectors to support local businesses and entrepreneurs by patronizing local products and services all year round. It not calls for the support of MSMEs affected by the pandemic but also for the boost of domestic travel while encouraging consumers to patronize Filipino-owned and operated facilities and services.
The DTI also reached out to its retail partners from Go Lokal! in promoting and driving shoppers to support and patronize local products. Moreover, SM is one of the DTI partners that supported the campaign by providing additional sales opportunities to local MSMEs through events such as this nationwide Christmas bazaar.
From products ranging from hand-painted and hand-crafted home accessories to cosmetics and skincare essentials, the list of participants includes numerous DTI-endorsed MSMEs nationwide, as well as other SM tenants that are local businesses.
“That’s why we call on our people here today to patronize local products and services and support our MSMEs not only at the SM Christmas Market but throughout the country. As we reopen the economy, let us create a ‘Better Normal’ this Christmas season by rebuilding our country one purchase at a time,” the trade chief said.