Why Public-Private Partnerships Matter More Than Ever for Filipino MSMEs

 How SM Supermalls and the Department of Trade and Industry are creating more pathways for entrepreneurs to grow

PASAY CITY, Philippines — Starting a business has never been easier. Growing one remains the real challenge.

As more Filipinos—particularly young entrepreneurs—turn their ideas into businesses, the conversation is shifting from simply encouraging entrepreneurship to creating the right conditions for MSMEs to scale sustainably. 

According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), MSMEs account for 99.6% of all registered businesses in the Philippines, making them the backbone of the country's economy. Yet despite their significant contribution, many continue to face familiar barriers—limited market access, low business visibility, and the challenge of expanding beyond their first customers. These are challenges that neither the government nor the private sector can solve alone. 

 

Increasingly, meaningful public-private partnerships are proving to be one of the most effective ways to help entrepreneurs move beyond survival toward sustainable growth. Among the strongest examples is the long-standing partnership between Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and SM Supermalls, whose shared commitment has opened more opportunities for Filipino entrepreneurs through trade fairs, learning sessions, mentoring opportunities, and business development initiatives under the SM for MSMEs program.

 

In the first half of 2026 alone, SM Supermalls supported over 600 new MSMEs through the monthly DTI-led trade fairs and partner events nationwide. Beyond providing market opportunities, the collaboration has helped entrepreneurs gain direct customer insights, strengthen brand awareness, validate products in real market conditions, and prepare for long-term business growth. To date, 90 participating MSMEs have successfully transitioned into regular SM tenants.

 

According to DTI Secretary Cristina Roque, today's entrepreneurs require more than one-time interventions to succeed. "Successful MSME development requires an ecosystem that combines market access, capability-building, mentorship, and sustained opportunities for growth. Public-private partnerships allow us to bring these elements together, creating an environment where entrepreneurs can build resilient and competitive businesses."

 

For SM Supermalls, creating opportunities means looking beyond retail space. Through the SM for MSMEs program, entrepreneurs gain access to one of the country's largest retail networks, allowing them to introduce their products to millions of shoppers, understand customer preferences, build stronger brands, and gradually scale their businesses through real-world market experience. "Entrepreneurship doesn't stop when a business opens—it grows through continuous opportunities," said Joaquin San Agustin, Executive Vice President for Marketing at SM Supermalls. "Through SM for MSMEs, we help entrepreneurs move beyond selling products. We create pathways where they can understand their customers, strengthen their brands, build confidence in their business, and take the next step toward sustainable growth." The partnership also reflects a shared understanding that helping entrepreneurs succeed requires a holistic approach.

 

While DTI equips MSMEs with capability-building programs, mentoring, and business development initiatives, SM Supermalls complements these efforts by providing market access, business visibility, customer engagement opportunities, and strategic collaborations that allow entrepreneurs to translate learning into sustainable business growth. Together, these initiatives help create an ecosystem where entrepreneurs are supported throughout different stages of their journey—from startup businesses testing new ideas to growing enterprises ready to expand into permanent retail spaces. 

 

As entrepreneurship continues to evolve, partnerships between government and the private sector will become even more essential in ensuring Filipino entrepreneurs have access not only to opportunities—but also to the networks, knowledge, and support systems  they need to succeed. Because when MSMEs grow, communities prosper. And when communities prosper, the nation grows stronger.

Together, DTI and SM Supermalls demonstrate that empowering MSMEs is not about creating one-time selling opportunities—it is about building an ecosystem where entrepreneurs can continuously learn, grow, and scale.