𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐈: 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐒𝐌𝐄𝐬

 𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐈: 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐒𝐌𝐄𝐬

Seasoned broadcaster Ben Tulfo visited the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) on Wednesday, October 2 (Wed), for a dialogue with Chamber Officers and local business leaders.

An MSME advocate, Tulfo encouraged the Chamber to carry the voice of millions of micro enterprises. He seeks to discuss with the chamber how to best assist MSMEs, including the nano entrepreneurs who are struggling to survive on a changing business landscape.

"I would like to engage in a conversation with you, to hear from you on the ease of doing business. The nano, the micro, the small businesses, there's a lot of people who would be interested in starting this part of it," Tulfo stated in his opening speech.

Tulfo lauded CCCI's initiatives to bolster Cebu's business environment by assisting MSMEs. He noted that the Chamber is characterized by its collaborative, and inclusive nature, contributing to the thriving economy of Cebu.

"I'm pitching something. I just pitched something. What do you want us to do? And then I just wanted to pitch that maybe you can take care of those people who are weak. So we stand for the weak, and those faceless and voiceless do the same thing. The faceless and the voiceless- the often unheard. That's why you need to expand and be visible for them to succeed. You become the teacher," Tulfo said, adding that the Chamber has been educating, emancipating, and empowering small business owners by opening up avenues for them to grow while expanding their own businesses.

Tulfo also encouraged the chamber to utilize all media platforms in getting the proper exposures that will help businessmen.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the government to support entrepreneurs, particularly micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), by promoting innovation, simplifying tax processes, and speeding up public services.

During the meeting, the Chamber also highlighted the business sector's main challenges and ongoing programs to promote Cebu and enhance its economy. These include the MICE/ Tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events) Alliance, the POWER Alliance (cost of power), the Solo Mothers project, the Fish Visayas project, and CCCI's other potential interventions for micro and small enterprises.

CCCI pondered hosting MSME trade shows that will serve as an avenue for opportunities, and renovating the second floor of the chamber office as an SME showroom. Recently, the chamber announced its collaboration with PICPA-Cebu Chapter to bring tax and accounting expertise to the forefront. All of these efforts ensure alignment with the Chamber's vision.

CCCI officials acknowledged that the Ease and Cost of Doing Business still need to be improved in the Philippines. The Chamber recognizes the importance of collaborating with the government, especially the various local government units (LGUs), to streamline business processes and transition to digital/online tax operations in the country.

Chamber officials underscored how the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 can improve efficiency in delivering services to the public and mitigate corruption within the business landscape.

In an interview, CCCI president Jay Yuvallos expressed his gratitude for Tulfo's passion for advocating for MSMEs and nano entrepreneurs. "Many of our programs are directed towards the smaller entrepreneurs, which aligns with our vision. World-class entrepreneurs, world-class enterprises, world-class business community and world-class people," Yuvallos said.

Yuvallos reaffirmed CCCI's dedication to collaborating with the government and other stakeholders to achieve common goals and ensure a prosperous business community in Cebu.

"It's important because we believe in the right enabling environment as far as policies and government policies are concerned. In fact, we have a division for that now. We really want to be proactive in this area in our policy advocacy," he said.

CCCI expressed its willingness to welcome political leaders for discussions related to commerce and industry while maintaining neutrality.

Yuvallos stated that the Chamber must get to know the possible leaders of the country.

"We are talking about alignment. We are talking about the vision of the Chamber, the bigger business climate, and competitiveness. He (Ben Tulfo) was talking about the competitiveness of the Philippines. It's coincidental, but it's history. So we want ideas and thoughts like this to come out. So if these national leaders will come to us and talk to us, it's a very welcome idea," he said.

#MSME #BenTulfo #CebuChamber #CCCI #CebuHappenings #MandaueHappenings #TeamHappenings #conpc #CebuOnlineNewsPressCorps

Please LIKE/FOLLOW Cebu Happenings on Facebook.