NO: PRU-166-2017NR

Department of Trade and Industry

Release Date: October 3, 2017
Reference: DTI-Regional Operations Group
751.0384 loc. 3318 (tel) 0917.676.0384 (mobile)
rog@dti.gov.ph / www.dti.gov.ph (email)

7Ms to bring prosperity to MSMEsDTI

Filipino micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) can compete locally and
globally with the help of the 7Ms strategy of the Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI), especially with the country experiencing economic growth.

DTI-Regional Operations Group (DTI-ROG) Assistant Secretary Blesila Lantayona said

the 7Ms strategy for Philippine MSME Development, which are mindset, mastery,
mentoring, market, money, machines, models, will propel MSMEs to make headway in
increasing the competitive market.

The 7Ms strategy of DTI for MSME Development holistically equips the small business
sector to make headway in increasing the competitive market while contributing to the
larger cause of sustaining the entrepreneurial revolution, Lantayona said during the 3rd
CALABARZON Regional MSME Development Conference in Antipolo, Rizal.

The DTI currently sits as chair of ASEAN 2017 and has hosted a series of high-level
meetings among economic ministers of the 10 Member States of ASEAN and the
regions trade partnersthe recent of which is the 49th ASEAN Economic Ministers
(AEM) Meeting and Related Meetings last September 6 to 11.

Explaining the 7Ms strategy, Lantayona said that the strategy will equip even the
smallest entrepreneurs to be success and innovation driven as well as pro-active in
developing their businesses and become better entrepreneurs.

Through the framework of 7Ms, we will empower empower those at the bottom of the
pyramid and marginalized sectors with the right mindset and knowhow to be able to
move up in life, Lantayona explained.

She also underscored the importance of placing the interest of MSMEs at the center of
the ASEAN Economic Community through sharing of knowledge and experience of
how MSMEs can benefits from ASEAN integration.

MSMEs are integral to the economic development and growth of the ASEAN region as
they outnumber large enterprises in both quantity of establishments and share of the
labor force they employ. The ASEAN MSMEs comprise the 95-99% of all business
establishments, generating between 51% and 97% of employment.

Lantayona said that the ASEAN Economic Community is expected to bring benefits to
MSMEs as the regions integration and its openness to the global economy through the
free trade agreements will attract investments from large corporations in ASEAN which
provide MSMEs with opportunities through the value chain integration.

7Ms to bring prosperity to MSMEsDTI 1 |P a g e

With the competitive environment of the AEC, MSMEs are prompted to strategically
enhance their productivity and address the current issues and challenges that ASEAN
MSMEs would face in the next decade, adding that DTI will continue to empower and
help MSMEs reap the fruits of the ongoing economic growth by engaging in vibrant
entrepreneurial activities. (END)

7Ms to bring prosperity to MSMEsDTI 2|Page