The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Sydney, the overseas office of the DTI in Australia, organised the first of a series of Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) webinar series held on 20 April 2020.
The TNK is an initiative of the DTI in partnership with other Philippine government agencies, private sector, academe, and civil society organisations, to increase incomes by generating more jobs and promoting entrepreneurship.
The program aims to popularise entrepreneurship as an alternative to unemployment, job-seeking, or migration.
Alma Argayoso, the Philippine trade representative to Australia said that PTIC-Sydney had conducted TNK seminars in the past and has lined-up several seminars this year.
However, due to coronavirus restrictions, the physical events have been cancelled but they have decided to offer virtual seminars.
“We realised that the webinars would be very useful particularly for those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19, or for returning Filipinos who would like to start their own business,” Argayoso said.
“The webinars might also be of interest to Overseas Filipino Investors (OFIs) or even Australians who would like to help the Philippines recover from the pandemic by investing in viable economic activities in the country as soon as lockdown restrictions are lifted or helping finance the livelihood activities or rehabilitation efforts of their relatives or friends back home,” Argayoso added.
Argayoso highlighted during her presentation that aside from the webinar initiated by her office, the DTI in the Philippines offers various services, tools and information to help Filipinos succeed as entrepreneurs.
Through DTI’s Negosyo Centers located all over the Philippines, the agency provides business advisory, business registration facilitation, product catalogue preparation, packaging, and labelling design development, mentorship, education and training, exposure to online platforms and trade fairs, as well as funding for MSMEs.
More recently, DTI’s financing arm, SB Corporation, announced a P1B loan facility for MSMEs affected by COVID-19 which the agency said they will roll out by partnering with Negosyo Centers in accepting loan applications for small enterprises.
Argayoso said the TNK webinar series will discuss various business opportunities and feature a sector or industry per session. It will also include other topics of interest related to starting a business.
For the webinar on 20 April, the topic was Franchising 101 and covered key topics such as how to start and select a franchise business, benefits and pitfalls of franchising, franchising regulations, and franchising opportunities in Australia and the Philippines.
The speaker, Mr. Rudolf Kotik, founder of RK Franchise Consultancy Incorporated and one of the pioneers of Philippine franchising, discussed the basics of franchising for those looking for franchise opportunities in the Philippines or Australia, as well as opportunities for business owners who wish to develop their business into a franchise.
An option to participate in a co-franchise agreement was also discussed where an opportunity to co-own a franchise together with other franchisees is available for those who wish to start a franchising business as a passive investor.
Kotik highlighted that the future of franchising is assured even after COVID-19 and is one of the most enduring industries one can think of. He said that aside from food businesses, the services sector such as beauty salons, spa services, and laundry shops would bounce back immediately after lockdown restrictions are lifted.
“Franchising is an industry with a proven business system and the best way to invest your money and I highly recommend it to our overseas Filipino workers looking for alternative ways of employment or those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19 ,” Kotik added.
If you are interested in joining the next free webinar and learn about Franchising and other business opportunities in the Philippines, contact sydney@dti.gov.ph.
