Joey Concepcion
MANILA, Philippines — Business leaders from Southeast Asian countries volunteered as mentors during Go Negosyo’s free entrepreneurship roadshow “3M on Wheels” at Robinsons Galleria mall in Quezon City on Saturday.
Among the volunteer mentors was M. Arsjad Rasjid, chair of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, who is also the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Business Advisory Council (Asean-BAC).
He joined Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, along with Asean-BAC’s Bernardino Vega and Pandu Siahrir, Lionheart Farms’ Christian Moeller, and women mentors from the Filipino Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in a panel discussion on the role of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the economy.
Concepcion, Asean-BAC chair for the Philippines, said Go Negosyo’s mentoring program is now going regional through the Asean Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network, poised to be implemented in all 10 Asean economies.
“We will help, and the big companies will continue to create prosperity not just for Philippines but also for the Asean,” he said.
Rasjid, who heads Indika, his country’s leading integrated energy company, said Indonesia and the Philippines shared many aspects of culture, adding that there was much both could learn from each other.
“MSMEs are the engines of our economies, and of our beloved Asean,” he said.
Backbone
Concepcion affirmed that view, saying MSMEs are the backbone of the region’s economy, as they account for more than 90 percent of all businesses and provide employment to more than 85 percent of the region’s workforce.
He said MSMEs contribute significantly to the gross domestic product of each of the Asean member countries.
He noted further that these enterprises play a crucial role in propping up local economies, providing employment and livelihood opportunities to many residents.
Concepcion acknowledged the participation of the local governments, citing, for example, Quezon City, which once again hosted 3M on Wheels.