The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines has generated PHP1.41 billion worth of sales in 2019.

In a statement Tuesday, the DTI said sales last year came from the 37 OTOP Philippines hubs or OTOP.Ph nationwide.

The OTOP is DTI’s stimulus program for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that enables localities and communities to determine, enhance, and promote their competitive advantages.

The program has two components: the OTOP Next Gen, which gives assistance to capacitate MSMEs, and the OTOP.Ph, which provides physical and online stores, as well as market access platforms for OTOP products.

In 2019, a total of 10,819 MSMEs were assisted by the OTOP program and provided 6,771 product development services.

Among the products covered by OTOP for development services are processed food, agri-based products, arts and crafts, home and fashion and creative artisanal products, and skills-based services.

Under the OTOP Next Gen, the DTI assists MSMEs through capacity building, technology updating, brand equity and development, intellectual property assistance, access to finance, and marketing platforms and promotion.

“We hope to face 2020 with a clear and unified vision of OTOP. As we set out to elevate our level and quality of MSME support, may we grow all more resilient,” OTOP program manager, Assistant Secretary Demphna Du-Naga, said during an evaluation and planning session with trade promotion officers last week.

Du-Naga added that the program of DTI is aligned with the government’s target to promote inclusive growth and bolster the competitiveness of MSMEs. (PNA)