MORE than 200 Filipinos residing in Shanghai joined the Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) Seminar held on the sidelines of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) on November 5, 2018.
The TNK Seminar is an initiative of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez to encourage entrepreneurship among overseas Filipinos. It aims to provide them with access to information, network of suppliers, and resources that will help them succeed as entrepreneurs.
“The country is one of the fastest-growing economies in the Southeast Asian region with a young population. The Philippines is strategically located near key markets in Asia where we also have existing preferential trade agreements,” said Lopez during the opening of the seminar.
According to Lopez, the TNK also serves as a platform to aid overseas Filipinos and their families who are in the Philippines, as it gives them a grasp of what it takes to become successful entrepreneurs.
“As the country that continues to develop, we want more Filipinos to benefit in this initiative by creating more enterprises and benefiting from our economic growth,” Lopez added. “This is the best time to open a business in the Philippines and encourage your families back home to be more enterprising, and ride on the country’s economic growth.”
Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana echoed the sentiments of Secretary Lopez and encouraged his fellow Filipinos or “kababayan.”
“[We want our fellow Filipinos] to seize this golden opportunity and become successful entrepreneurs or be at the leading edge of creativity and innovation of Philippine MSMEs,” Romana said.
The Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Shanghai also invited several speakers to provide mentorship to the aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs.
As such, DTI Director for Export Marketing Bureau Senen Perlada discussed several opportunities for Filipinos in China through exports of Philippine food products such as coconut, frozen seafood, fresh fruits, and snacks as well as personal care products and design driven products such as furniture, home furnishing, and fashion accessories.
Sherill Quintana from the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) and Andoy Beltran of First Metro Securities were also among the resource speakers of the seminar. Quintana discussed how Filipinos could invest in the right franchise noting that “franchising is a powerful tool for economic development and has become a preferred investment option for many.”
Beltran, on the other hand, discussed the importance of raising capital efficiently through various financial instruments. He urged Filipinos to start their investment journey through mutual funds, stocks, and exchange-traded funds.
“TNK was inspiring to Filipinos in Shanghai. We hope this will help broaden their mindset to be more business-driven and be entrepreneurial”, said Carol Ong, founder of PhilCham Shanghai.
“Maraming, maraming salamat sa unang TNK forum na naganap sa Shanghai! (Thank you for organizing the first TNK forum in Shanghai),” she added.
The TNK seminar in Shanghai was hosted by the DTI and the Philippine Consulate in Shanghai together with Liwayway Marketing Corporation, Dai-chi Electronics, First Metro Securities, Metrobank Group, Philippine Franchise Association, Filipino Community in Shanghai, Philippine Chamber of Business and Professionals, Shanghai, Bagong Pinoy Community, and Tsupitero Overseas Filipino Workers.
“[TNK] is an eye opener for us OFWs. After the seminar, we realized that even though we are away from home, there are still a lot of opportunities that await us,” noted Mark Ibañez, president of Bagong Pinoy Community. (DTI)
