President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday graced the Puregold Sari-Sari Store Negosyo Convention 2022, and commended the supermarket chain for assisting small businesses during times of uncertainties.
“Let me, thus, express my immense gratitude to Puregold not only for conducting this event, but also for making it the company’s fundamental purpose to assist small businesses like the sari-sari stores,” President Duterte said in his speech at the World Trade Center Lobby in Pasay City.
“In the years to come, it is my genuine hope that Puregold will continue to devise enabling business practices for its customers and stakeholders.”
“It is also my desire that, as it has always been in the past, Puregold will remain a dedicated partner of the government in working for a progressive economy that every Filipino may enjoy.”
The President said his administration has always recognized small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as one of the backbones of the nation’s economy.
He pointed out SMEs’ ability to produce countless jobs for the country’s growing labor force, their contribution to aid the government’s goal of utilizing the people’s talents, as well as fighting hunger and poverty.
With the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, the vulnerability of SMEs to external shocks such as financial crises, and disasters was highlighted, and this has forced changes in the business movement and environment, according to the President.
“I thus wish to stress that this activity that Puregold has created is significant and truly worth commending,” he said.
“As our SMEs are exposed to meaningful exchanges with suppliers, manufacturers and fellow entrepreneurs, they are pushed to adopt innovations and strategies that would help them achieve stability and success.”
With the theme, “Tuloy Natin ang Pagsasama, Tuloy Natin ang Pag-Asenso”, this year’s convention of small retail operators and other business owners focuses on maintaining the innovations and services established in helping sari-sari store owners grow their businesses.
The event marks the 14th staging of Puregold’s Negosyo Convention, which is part of the Tindahan Ni Aling Puring program, a customized and holistic membership program that provides products, services, and trainings for owners of small businesses like sari-sari stores, karinderyas, wholesalers, and resellers. PND
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