Manila, Philippines – In pursuit of growing their businesses online, internet and digital service providers PLDT and Smart have announced the expansion of their digital upskilling to e-commerce program.
Called eBiznovation initiative, the program supports the businesses of local entrepreneurs, cooperatives and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the country to advance the digitalization of their market and motivate prospective partners to expand their reach.
In this innovation, the two have leveraged the use of Tiktok shop in connecting them online. This collaboration then enabled further partnerships in local bazaars allowing direct access to revenue opportunities simply by engaging them with the digital shop.
Talking about the expansion project, Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and head of stakeholder management at PLDT and Smart, said, “At PLDT and Smart, we believe that collaboration is key to advancing the goals of eBiznovation and achieving them more efficiently.”
“By working with like-minded partners from various industries, we are able to boost our efforts to digitally upskill and assist local enterprises, helping them to increase productivity and income through digital technology,” she added.
Apart from this, leaders and experts from the technology industry also express their insights following the essential role of small-to medium-scale local enterprises and their contribution towards the country’s economic growth at the recent Philippine Digital Convention 2023.
Euan Rex Toralballa, customer relationship management head at Luzon’s PLDT Enterprise also said “Our clients and partners have so far done an amazing job in driving the evolving digital landscape of the MSMEs. During this gathering at Digicon, PLDT Enterprise recognizes and celebrates MSMEs as the life force of our country.”
On the other hand, Toff Rada, head of public policy at TikTok Philippines said, “TikTok Shop connects Filipino MSMEs with the wider TikTok community, allowing them to reach a broader market and expand from offline to online.”
“Through PLDT and Smart’s eBiznovation Buy Local Bazaar on TikTok Shop and in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry, we have enabled Filipino farmers from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to gain direct access to consumers and expand their revenue opportunities by onboarding them onto TikTok Shop. We are committed to building the digital capacity of Filipino MSMEs and enabling them to grow and expand their business,” he ended.
