Some 60 micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) representatives from the cities of Bacolod, Kabankalan, Cadiz, Bago, Silay, Talisay, and Sagay, and the towns of Valladolid, Isabela, Hinigaran, are undergoing a four-day business expansion and capacity-building training that started June 17, at Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod.
The Small Enterprise Acceleration Lab-Business Expansion through Training and Application (SEAL-BETA) program was launched by the Philippine Trade Training Center, in partnership with the Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation and BPI Direct BanKo, and in coordination with DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Office.
The SEAL-BETA program brings together MSMEs from across Negros Occidental for a four-day capacity-building initiative designed to equip them with the tools, knowledge, and financial access needed to grow and scale their businesses, DTI Negros Occidental director Lynna Joy Cardinal said.
Participants are undergoing intensive training sessions on product diversification, visual merchandising, negotiation skills, digital marketing, entrepreneurial finance, debt management, and loan application requirements.
The program also features business pitching workshops to help participants effectively present their enterprises to potential investors and financial institutions, as well as one-on-one mentorship sessions, providing MSMEs with the opportunity to consult with industry experts and gain valuable insights into best practices, Cardinal added.
The training will culminate in a graduation ceremony on June 20, and special awards will be given for Best Booth, Highest Sales, and Best Negotiator, the DTI said.
Following the program, BPI Direct BanKo will begin accepting loan applications from participating MSMEs, helping them take the next step toward expansion and long-term sustainability.
The SEAL-BETA program underscores the shared commitment of DTI and BPI to strengthen the local entrepreneurial ecosystem and foster inclusive economic growth in Western Visayas, Cardinal added. ||
