Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and TikTok Shop have teamed up to launch the ‘Unlad Lokal’ program. The newly launched program empowers Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as they venture into e-commerce.
DTI and TikTok Shop’s partnership aims to equip MSMEs with the tools and skills they need to thrive and succeed in e-commerce through the program.
The ‘Unlad Lokal’ program offers training in content creation, live-selling, and other e-commerce strategies. It aims to provide MSMEs critical skills to scale the digital economy, enhancing their digital marketing capabilities.
Through a two-day training session, the program will cover product listing optimisation, live-selling techniques, and regulatory compliance among others.
It also offers a training session on TikTok Shop, reinforcing its ‘Buy Local, Shop Local’ campaign to promote Filipino products and craftsmanship. It provides MSMEs with a platform to increase the visibility of their products, allowing them to connect with more audiences through engaging content.
The program is set to roll out in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Cebu, and Davao.
DTI Secretary Cristina Roque, said, “Our partnership with TikTok Shop strengthens our commitment to providing Filipino MSMEs with the tools and resources they need to thrive in a dynamic global market. By strengthening their capabilities, we are opening more opportunities for business growth and market expansion.”
“Unlad Lokal builds on the foundation of our DTI initiative which bridges traditional enterprises with digital innovation. By providing MSMEs with hands-on training in e-commerce, content creation, and live selling, we are ensuring that our local businesses can adapt and lead the digital marketplace,” Roque added.
The partnership reinforces TikTok Shop’s commitment to driving digital transformation, sustainability, and wider reach for Filipino MSMEs. Through its accessible and inclusive digital tools, the platform enables entrepreneurs to scale the digital marketplace.
As it partners with DTI, TikTok Shop is contributing to job creation in the Philippines, stimulating its economy.
“At TikTok Shop, we believe in the power of community-driven commerce. TikTok Shop has also evolved into a dynamic digital marketplace, one that allows MSMEs to reach customers in innovative ways. Unlad Lokal is designed to equip Filipino entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and digital skills needed to thrive in e-commerce,” Franco Aligaen, marketing lead at TikTok Shop Philippines, commented.
“We’ve seen many small businesses grow on TikTok Shop, reaching thousands, sometimes millions, of customers. Through Unlad Lokal, we want to help even more MSMEs achieve that same success. Beyond the training sessions, we are offering post-program mentorship, continued support in content creation, and access to advertising opportunities that will help local businesses continue to scale and succeed long after the workshops,” Aligaen added.
Roque said, “Our collaboration with TikTok Shop reinforces the DTI’s commitment to empowering Filipino entrepreneurs. By providing them with the right digital skills and market access, we are realizing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of building a more inclusive, resilient, and technology-driven economy where no entrepreneur is left behind.”
