Inspiring success stories emerge from the 14th PHILSME Business Expo

MANILA, Philippines – The 14th Philippine SME (PHILSME) Business Expo, organized by Mediacom Solutions Inc., concluded a successful two-day run at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City, bringing together 8,000 attendees, fostering a vibrant atmosphere of innovation, collaboration and business growth for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The opening ceremony, hosted by distinguished broadcast journalist Rico Hizon, was also supported by Finance Undersecretary Domini Velasquez of the Office of the Chief Economist.

Through the Expo, small businesses and entrepreneurs are connected with industry experts, offered innovative solutions,and connected to business prospects. SMEs gain valuable insights, explore new opportunities, and, ultimately, push their businesses toward sustainable success.

"It's not every day that you get to have more than 120 exhibitors and over 180 business solutions come together under one roof to showcase what they offer for SMEs," PHILSME Managing Director Trixie Esguerra-Abrenilla said. "Our overall objective is to help them come together, collaborate with each other, and have them showcase their business solutions.”

SMEs hold immense potential for supporting the Philippine economy as they drive employment, income and overall development. They represent a significant portion of businesses in the country, accounting for 99.59%, based on the 2022 List of Establishments (LE) of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). 

However, challenges like limited resources, keeping up with the evolving market, and forging strategic partnerships can hinder their growth.

Esguerra-Abrenilla emphasized that the success of the Expo is a testament to the organization’s commitment to supporting the growth and development of SMEs in the country. 

“We will continue to provide valuable resources, opportunities, and support to empower this important sector and foster the spirit of collaboration within the Philippine business landscape,” Esguerra-Abrenilla said.

Among the keynote speakers during the event were representatives from project management platform Odoo, which offered how to streamline and automate business operations; financing solutions