The search for the country’s outstanding entrepreneurs has officially begun with the launch of the 2011 SME STAR Program, a development agenda by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) which aims to strengthen and support micro, small and medium enterprises as MSMEs represent 99.6% of all registered businesses in the country, and can thus be considered as the backbone of the Philippine economy.
The SME Rising Star Award will be awarded to outstanding MSMEs at the provincial level, with one winner each for the micro, small and medium enterprise categories. SME Star Elite Award is conferred at the regional level for enterprises at the domestic market penetration and export awareness stage while the highly successful enterprises that have reached the export and expansion stage will be given the SME Star Presidential Award. Awarding ceremonies will be held as part of the SME Week celebrations in July 2011.
Nomination forms as well as other details about the nomination process are available at local DTI offices. Deadline for submission of nomination forms is March 31, 2011. For inquiries, please contact Ms. Glady Aquino or Ms. Michelle Rea of the Bureau of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BMSMED) at telephone numbers 751.0384 local 2509 and 751.5061 or email: [email protected].