The Ilocos Norte government is encouraging micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs that are into manufacturing and processing to apply for product development and innovation assistance.
“This initiative aims to enhance food and non-food products through technical guidance, resource access, and market readiness,” said Elma Gabriel, head of the provincial government’s Micro, Small, Medium, and Enterprise Office (MSMEO).
Gabriel said home-grown entrepreneurs may apply for assessment at the MSME Incubation Center located at the Tabacalera Building just across the provincial capitol.
She said successful applicants may avail of mentorship on improvement of packaging and labelling design, barcoding, Food and Drug Administration and Land Transportation Office registration, nutrifacts analysis, microbial analysis, shelf life testing, marketing and trade fairs, and product design enhancement, among others.
As of end-2024, there are about 22,490 MSMEs in the province, most of which are micro enterprises engaged in food businesses.
MSMEs account for about 99.5 percent of established businesses and employ about 63 percent of the local workforce. (PNA)
