Go Lokal! Boosts MSMEs with Department of Trade and Industry, Robinsons Department Store Partnership

In a time when there are an increasing number of enterprising Filipinos, a new chance for them has arise as they can showcase their products to a wider audience. This is what Robinsons Department Store and Department of Trade and Industry have recently launched in Robinsons Place Manila – the first Go Lokal! store inside a mall.

The move is the first opportunity for numerous high-quality products of local micro, small medium enterprises (MSMEs) to go mainstream and get the attention it needs from a bigger potential market.

The Go Lokal! program has been designed to serve as incubation, marketing, and branding platform for the best of Philippine MSMEs products including next generation One Town One Product (OTOP) offerings.

”Go Lokal! is truly a vibrant model for MSME development and inclusive business. We are happy that committed partners iike Robinsons have taken on this challenge. We look forward to opening more outlets in their malls and department stores across the country,” Trade and Industry Secreatry Ramon Lopez said.

For Go Lokal! to be in the mainstream is a big boost to the existing MSMEs and budding entrepreneurs to aim higher and dream bigger as this is platform that gives them on an equal playing field with bigger companies to show-off their products to the public.

”This partnership with DTI is Robinsons Department Store’s contribution to nation-building by providing our entrepreneurs an environment where they can be passionate about their businesses and prosper from their efforts, as we create opportunities for MSMEs to grow, succeed and make an impact to the retail industry,” said Robina Gokongwei-Pe, President and COO of Robinsons Department Store.

Go Lokal! program is a platform for new entrepreneurs to test the marketability of their products without the fear of losing rental and commercial costs because their experience is free of charge.

“The diverse product line of Go Lokal! brings together the best products that the Philippines has to offer which are world-class locally-made quality products by our MSMEs,” said Johnson Go  General Manager of Robinsons Department Store.

Portion of Ga Lokal! revenues will go to the various corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects of Robinsons Department Store including the government’s drug rehabilitation program.