Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are adapting to innovation to expand the market of their local products to a global scale.

In a talk show segment dubbed as “Ask Us Anything,” which was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 in celebration of the Northern Mindanao Regional Innovation Program and Exhibit (NorMinRIPE) 2024 on April 23, 204 at the SM City CDO Uptown, three MSMEs shared how embracing innovation and leveraging digital technologies allowed them to scale up their businesses to achieve international success.

Mr. Neptune Factor, CEO of ECFulfill, explained how ECFulfill empowers Filipino MSMEs for global success using digital technologies such as Amazon.

Amazon is an American multinational technology company that is engaged in e-commerce and online advertising, among others.

According to Factor, MSMEs usually encounter challenges such as budget constraints when entering the international export market. One way to capture the international market is to also join international trade fairs which can be costly on the part of the MSME.

Because of this challenge, ECFulfill was created to enable MSMEs to export and sell their products through e-commerce or with the use of Amazon.

From a complicated export process, ECFulfill simplifies the process by taking care of logistics, market access, and marketing.

One of the MSMEs it has assisted is Cagayan de Oro’s Best, manufacturer and distributor of pork and beef jerky based in Cagayan de Oro City.

Mr. Craig Mari Padla, General Manager of De Oro’s Best Pork and Beef Jerky, recalled how their traditional packaging of cartolina and cellophane limited their product’s shelf life to three months. But after transforming the packaging in several phases, the shelf life of the product is now one year. This allowed the business to ship outside of Cagayan de Oro City.

De Oro’s Best Jerky is now available at 200 stores nationwide and, just recently, in Amazon.

Mr. Padla never imagined that the products will be sold at a global scale through Amazon. While it is challenging to compete with international brands, Padla is looking at the support of Filipino communities abroad as the product’s edge.

“Never stop dreaming.” Padla shared. “No matter how difficult the road is, remain rooted in your ultimate goal.”

Another featured MSME, Trunk 2 Gold Agribusiness Corporation is a social enterprise that works with coconut farmers in Balingasag, Jasaan, and Claveria in Misamis Oriental. It mainly produces coconut sugar. Its new and innovative product is the Coco Savor Seasoning Sauce.

The coco sugar is available at Ororama Supercenter, OTOP Hubs, and Amazon.

Ms. Gemma dela Vega-Emata, Managing Director of Trunk 2 Gold Agribusiness Corporation, shared that one of the challenges experienced by an entrepreneur is on how to upscale the business.

“We never imagined that we can venture in Amazon.” Dela Vega-Emata said.

Trunk 2 Gold Agribusiness Corporation is now ready with its inventories in exploring the global landscape.

For dela Vega-Emata, continuous learning is the key for growth.

“Embrace innovation.” Dela Vega-Emata said. “Stay relevant and learn from both failures and success.” ♦

Date of Release: 30 April 2024

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