MANILA -- As the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) continue to recover from the ill effects of the COVID- 19 pandemic, which led to massive shutdowns, layoffs, and insolvencies due to lockdowns, the Philippine Trade Training Center - Global MSME Academy (PTTC-GMEA), in partnership with the BPI Foundation and BanKo, is set to launch a program this August 31, 2022 to help them recuperate.

Dubbed as the Small Enterprise Acceleration Lab – Business Expansion through Training and Application Program or SEAL-BETA, is a comprehensive integrated learning program designed for distressed MSEs affected by the pandemic who want to rebuild their businesses into a resilient and sustainable one.

The partnership aims to equip MSEs with a resilient outlook on business through integrated training programs. The program also aims to assist entrepreneurs in creating their sustainability plan and help them rebuild and expand their business through access to loans from BPI Banko.

“The Philippine Trade Training Center - Global MSME Academy has been at the forefront in helping our SMEs recover and rebuild from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are very happy that we will be able to further help them through this partnership with the BPI Foundation and BanKo,” said Executive Director Nelly Nita N. Dillera.

The SEAL-BETA Program will be assisting distressed Micro and Small Enterprises located in Region 3, 4A, 8, 12, and NCR. To qualify for a loan, participants shall finish an eight-week training program which will discuss product diversification, personal and business finance and accounting, tax management, product innovation, digital marketing and e-commerce, and HR Appreciation. There will also be a Business Continuity Plan Workshop and Business Expansion and Mentoring Session.

The eight (8) online training will be broadcast live via FB page. But a select group of 150 participants (a.k.a. beneficiaries) will be invited to participate in zoom. Selection will be based on the following criteria:

• Must be a registered micro or small enterprise and running for at least two (2) years
• S/he is willing to undergo and complete training, mentoring and pitching sessions
• S/he is needing Capital for business recovery and expansion

Must pass the BPI BANKO Requirements:

• FullName
• Date of Birth (open to 25 to 65 years old)
• Nationality (Filipinos only)
• Present Address
• Residency Length
• Ownership of Present address: Living with Family Mortgage Owned Rented
• BusinessType
• BusinessTenure

Geographic Distance (within 10km from BanKo branch)

Those who want to participate in the launch and know more about the SEAL-BETA program shall register at https://bit.ly/SEAL-BETA_reg. The launch will also be live on the PTTC-GMEA Facebook page. (DTI)