Manila: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is taking measures to expedite the permitting process for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) while enhancing their market access. This initiative follows the announcement that trade shows in Metro Manila have generated approximately PHP1 billion in sales during the first half of 2026.
According to Philippines News Agency, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque informed the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship that the DTI is collaborating with the Anti-Red Tape Authority, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Food and Drug Administration, and Bureau of Fire Protection to create dedicated MSME 'green lanes'. "We are cutting red tape by building a dedicated green lane for MSME and the DTI," Roque stated.
The proposed system, expected to be completed by the end of the year or early 2027, will feature standardized fee caps and temporary permit rules to enable compliant enterprises to commence operations and generate revenue more swiftly. Roque highlighted that MSMEs constitute 99.6 percent of businesses in the Philippines and employ 67 percent of the workforce, emphasizing the importance of efficient government processing for their growth.
Senator Bam Aquino, who presided over the hearing, advocated for requirements that consider the size, risk profile, and complexity of businesses, arguing against uniform regulations for small enterprises and large corporations. "Hindi po talaga tama na pare-pareho lang ang mga requirement ng maliliit at malalaki (It is really not right for small and large businesses to have the same requirements)," Aquino remarked.
Beyond regulatory improvements, Roque mentioned that the DTI is expanding sales channels for MSMEs, following a significant increase in trade-show sales in the National Capital Region, which reached PHP1 billion in just six months, compared to about PHP600 million for the entire previous year. "Products remain as products unless we put them in a place where we can sell them," she noted.
The DTI is also facilitating connections between MSMEs and major retailers, offering free space through its MSME Hub, and utilizing a network of 29 trade attach©s in 21 countries to link smaller businesses with foreign buyers and export supply chains. Roque added that the Export Marketing Bureau has been integrated into the Office of the Secretary as part of the DTI's intensified efforts to assist local enterprises in transitioning from domestic shelves to international markets.
