The city government is pushing for an incubation program to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and make local businesses more visible.

In an interview Friday, John Asuncion, head of the city’s Trade Investments Promotion Center, said a support mechanism for MSMEs is necessary because they make a large contribution to the economy.

“Of the 31,000 business registrations this year, 98 percent are MSMEs. We told these entrepreneurs that Mayor Rolando Uy will always listen to their concerns,” he said.

He said the incubation program will provide a venue for MSMEs to display, sell their developing products, and become a basis for feasibility support.

Meanwhile, 1st District Councilor George Goking said access to financing, an e-commerce site, and registry are among the proposed solutions to boost MSMEs in the city.

He said these solutions will be the key discussion highlights for the “Tinagboan Festival” on Aug. 7-10 at the Limketkai Center rotunda.

The Tinagboan Festival is one of the major events during the city’s monthlong observance of its annual Higalaay Festival.

Ana Marie Viscayno, president of the Food Processors’ Association of Northern Mindanao, said the city’s continued assistance since the pandemic was crucial to their members’ recovery.

“Hopefully, we can also ask for public support through patronage of our products,” she said. (PNA)