Networking of opportunities gains strength for women MSMEs, creates market awareness

The Philippines - Despite difficulties brought about by the uncertainties in the global economy, women in micro/small/medium enterprises have proven themselves to be resilient in riding economic turbulence.  Networking has worked very well in their favor as their business being small allows them to quickly react to changing conditions of business. 

In the Philippines, product offers of women-participants in the WINNER program have been compiled in compact disks which are distributed during trade fairs. Information about 2,000 products along with contact details of each producer is exchanged through the Internet and is creating market awareness of sources of supply.

Women who have successfully developed their businesses through the years have shared their business “secrets” with other women, particularly with their counterparts in their region. These stories are also compiled in compact disks which are made available during training courses conducted for new members of the WINNER network.

In the Philippines the trainees come from different provinces in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, with majority from the urban blighted areas and depressed rural communities.  The WINNER help desks are located in the provinces of Benguet, Leyte, Iloilo and the national capital region.

Promotion of the business of WINNER women entrepreneurs also took the form of actual participation in international and national trade fairs and organized meetings with buyers, either in person or in virtual marketplace. 

The WINNER-Philippines website, launched in February 2002 (www.winner-tips.org), features a “virtual exhibition” of offers of products and services of the women entrepreneurs.  Several business matching sessions, involving foreign buyers, were facilitated both electronically (through the Internet portal) and face-to-face introductions/negotiations. 

According to Ma. Aleli Pansacola of Daila Enterprises, WINNER provided her with an opportunity to establish business contacts in Eastern Europe and Africa for marketing and technology transfer. “With the training of more women in the use of internet tools, there will be more possibilities for women like me to have direct access to potential buyers anywhere in the world,” she said.