Philippines Champions MSME-Centered Growth at Inaugural Global SME Ministerial Meeting

Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Charles C. Jose delivers his opening remarks at the 2025 Global SME Conference in Johannesburg (Photo Courtesy of International Trade Centre)

JOHANNESBURG 29 July 2025 – At the historic Global SME Ministerial Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa on 22-24 July 2025, the Philippines called on countries to place micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) at the heart of trade and economic policymaking, highlighting MSMEs as critical engines of sustainable and inclusive growth.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Charles C. Jose, representing the Philippines, was one of five high-level officials invited to provide regional perspectives at the Ministerial Opening Plenary, alongside counterparts from Egypt, Switzerland, Barbados, and Nigeria. He underscored that “this agenda is about unlocking not just economic potential, but also human capacity and inclusive growth.” Speaking to a wide cross-section of senior officials, trade leaders, and entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries, he emphasized the importance of “responsive and facilitative regulation, supported by strategic investment” to empower MSMEs in navigating new business frontiers.

The Ministerial Meeting culminated in the adoption of a landmark Call to Action, endorsed by over 60 countries. The Philippines, working closely with like-minded partners, successfully championed the inclusion of critical language on empowering underserved economic groups, such as women and youth, and on scaling up the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) work in MSME capacity building, experience sharing, and development of practical tools and platforms.

At the Ministerial Roundtable on Digital Transformation, Undersecretary Jose outlined the Philippines’ comprehensive strategy to close the digital divide for MSMEs, focusing on infrastructure development, regulatory reform, support for e-commerce, and digital finance. “The challenge is not motivation, it is the digital divide,” he said. “While 77 percent of our MSMEs are eager to adopt digital tools, only 16 percent currently use them. That gap is not only about technology; it is also about affordability, skills, and regulatory coherence.” He highlighted key initiatives including the Konektadong Pinoy Act, the Ease of Doing Business Law, the Bagong Pilipinas Marketplace, and the Kapatid Mentor ME Program, and called for international cooperation to reduce ICT costs, align digital regulations, and strengthen digital skills at the community level.

On the sidelines of the conference, Undersecretary Jose met with ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton to reaffirm the Philippines’ longstanding partnership with the International Trade Centre. With six active ITC supported projects, including ARISE Plus Philippines, the Digital Pinas Initiative, and the Climate Competitiveness Project, the Philippines remains a key partner in ITC’s work on trade, innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development.

He reiterated the Philippines’ strong support for ITC’s leadership in implementing the Ministerial outcomes and emphasized the country’s commitment to advancing an MSME focused agenda through its upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026 and its contributions to shaping the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon next year.

The Global SME Ministerial Meeting, organized by the ITC and hosted by the Government of South Africa, marks the first time that small businesses have been formally recognized as a distinct constituency in global trade governance. It represents a major step forward in efforts to build inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economies.

Undersecretary Jose led the Philippine delegation, supported by the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the WTO in Geneva and the Embassy of the Philippines in Pretoria. END

Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Charles C. Jose meets with ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton at the sidelines of the 2025 Global SME Conference

Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Charles C. Jose with H.E. Stella Tembisa Ndabeni, Minister of Small Business Development of South Africa, co-host of the Global SME Ministerial Meeting