The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is privileged to speak here at the virtual launch of Google’s Economic Impact Report on the Philippines. Google Philippines has been one of our private sector partners dedicated to improving our micro, small, and medium enterprises’ (MSMEs) access to technology and innovation. We work together to assist in the digitalization of small businesses and help them reap the benefits of the growing digital economy, especially now that we face the challenges of the pandemic.
Going online is the main strategy we at DTI teach our local MSMEs, and this is also the same mission we share with Google. That’s why we continuously collaborate to promote digital transformation to small businesses by conducting skills workshops, knowledge- sharing sessions, and training activities nationwide—both offline and online. Through both of our efforts, Google and DTI have trained over 46,000 small business owners and employees since the onset of the pandemic. In 2020, we reached and trained more than 26,000 MSME stakeholders while so far this year we have already trained over 20,000 MSME stakeholders to gain knowledge on technology and digital skills.
Today’s launching of Google’s Economic Impact Report is indeed a milestone for all of us, as this report contains significant findings that will help us boost our country’s digital capability. The report reveals that digital transformation could create up to Php5 trillion in annual economic value by 2030. Of this value, P3.5-T could come from technologies that help businesses mitigate the economic impacts of the pandemic and future similar events. However, to fully unlock this potential, we need to overcome certain barriers such as the challenges surrounding our digital adoption and digital infrastructure. This is why we always push for strong partnerships between the public and private sectors, including DTI’s partnership with Google, because these play a vital role in addressing some of these roadblocks.
Hence, I would like to congratulate Google for today’s Economic Report Launch. I would also like to thank you for your significant contributions to the Philippines—from helping digitize our local MSMEs to creating thousands of jobs that continue to employ our Filipino workers.
The road ahead of us may be steep, but this pandemic only made us realize that no obstacle can stop us with our collective effort and shared mission. Together, we can bring our MSMEs to a better post-pandemic future as envisioned by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, where all local businesses not just survive but thrive.
Maraming salamat po, at mabuhay tayong lahat! ♦
Date of Release: 19 October 2021