Philippines SME COMPETE

pipeline

The Philippines COMPETE Plus for SMEs project is designed to address the persistent challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the country. Despite the Philippines’ strong economic growth, SMEs—which are vital for employment and economic dynamism—struggle with limited productivity, low participation in export markets, and barriers to integrating into global and domestic value chains. These challenges stem from gaps in business and technical skills, difficulties in obtaining quality certifications, insufficient market intelligence and connections, and restricted access to long-term finance. The project recognizes that supporting SMEs to overcome these obstacles is essential for job creation, export growth, and inclusive prosperity.The main objective of the project is to promote the competitiveness of participating SMEs by facilitating capability upgrading and enhancing their access to market connections. Specifically, the project aims to help SMEs export and integrate into value chains through a combination of investment finance, quality certification, and digital platforms. By doing so, it seeks to empower SMEs to become reliable suppliers and exporters, thereby contributing more effectively to the country’s economic transformation and development goals.To achieve these objectives, the project is structured around four main components. The first component focuses on exporter and supplier development investments, providing advisory services, matching grants, and long-term loans to help SMEs upgrade their capabilities and access new markets. The second component strengthens the ecosystem for quality assurance by investing in public, private, and shared facilities for testing, inspection, and certification services. The third component supports the development of digital platforms that connect SMEs with buyers, service providers, and consultants, while the fourth ensures effective project management and coordination among implementing agencies.Implementation is led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), with support from the Export Marketing Bureau, Board of Investments, Small Business Corporation, and the Department of Science and Technology. The project aligns with the Philippines’ national development strategies and the World Bank’s goals for private sector job creation, resilience, and climate adaptation. Through these coordinated efforts, the project aims to unlock the growth potential of SMEs, foster innovation, and drive sustainable economic progress in the Philippines.