CAGAYAN de Oro City — Northern Mindanao’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) need to improve their productivity, meet market requirements and become export-ready if they want to benefit from growing ASEAN trade opportunities, the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (Oro Chamber) said.
Oro Chamber President Almarco C. Brito said stronger business links with ASEAN and its partner economies could help local businesses find new markets for Mindanao products.
But he said entering foreign markets also comes with challenges, including limited information on potential buyers, market requirements and export procedures.
MSMEs also need to address compliance and documentation gaps, as well as financing and working capital needs, before expanding beyond the domestic market, Brito said.
He identified durian, bananas, pineapples, coconuts, calamansi, cacao, seafood and halal products among Mindanao’s potential export commodities.
He said opportunities are not limited to agriculture and food processing. Logistics, warehousing, trade support services, tourism, manufacturing and business-to-business services could also benefit from stronger regional links.
Brito cited Malaysia and Brunei as potential markets for halal products. The Oro Chamber hosts a satellite office of the FIQH and Halal Council of the Philippines Inc. (FHCPI), which businesses may approach for product certification.
He also pointed to the ASEAN Center for Excellence for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the ASEAN Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network as possible sources of training and mentoring.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which includes ASEAN members and partner economies Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea, also provides another avenue for regional trade, Brito said.
But he stressed that opportunities will not automatically translate into export sales.
“My message to my fellow entrepreneurs and businessmen is that we have to start preparing now. Use the chamber, government agencies, and local government units as bridges to ASEAN.
These connections will not happen overnight, but we can build them every day by strengthening our capabilities and relationships. First, we have to improve our productivity and competitiveness through programs such as our OroBEST Innovation Program. Second, we have to be export-ready,” he said.
Brito said trade missions and business events could also help MSMEs build connections with potential business partners.
For local entrepreneurs, the message is clear: access to ASEAN markets may be growing, but businesses still need to meet the standards, financing and market requirements needed to compete. (With a report from Apipa Bagumbaran of PIA-10)
