The University of the Philippines Institute for Small-Scale Industries (UP ISSI) held its first conference for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at the UP Bonifacio Global City campus last 16 March
2018. UP officials, academics, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders converged for a one-day conference. Aptly billed MSME and Nation-building, invited speakers and government officials discussed their ongoing researches, cases, and policy papers pertinent to MSMEs.
UP officials led by Dr. Elvira A. Zamora, UP Vice President for Development and Conference Chair; Dr. Michael L. Tan, Chancellor of UP Diliman; Dr. Fidel R. Nemenzo, UP Vice Chancellor for Research and Development and OIC of ISSI; Sec. Fortunato T. dela Peña, Secretary of Department of Science and Technology and former Director of ISSI; and Usec. Zenaida C. Maglaya, Undersecretary of
Department of Trade and Industry, gave their remarks and keynote speeches before
the participants. The conference, made possible through UP ISSI’s media, government, and private
business partners, was divided into three sessions: Session 1 delved on the trends and challenges facing MSMEs, Session 2 looked into ways of enhancing entrepreneurship, and Session
3 focused on the contributions of MSMEs to society.