The Philippines, represented by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Charles C. Jose, strongly advocated for the central role of Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in global trade and economic policymaking at the historic Global SME Ministerial Meeting held in Johannesburg from July 22-24, 2025. The nation underscored MSMEs as vital drivers of sustainable and inclusive growth.
Undersecretary Jose was one of five high-level officials invited to share regional perspectives during the Ministerial Opening Plenary, joining counterparts from Egypt, Switzerland, Barbados, and Nigeria. He emphasized that this agenda is not just about “unlocking economic potential, but also human capacity and inclusive growth,” stressing the need for “responsive and facilitative regulation, supported by strategic investment” to empower MSMEs in new business frontiers.
The Ministerial Meeting culminated in the adoption of a landmark Call to Action, endorsed by over 60 countries. The Philippines, collaborating with like-minded partners, successfully championed the inclusion of critical language focused on empowering underserved economic groups, particularly women and youth. The Call to Action also highlighted the importance of scaling up the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) efforts in MSME capacity building, experience sharing, and the development of practical tools and platforms.
During the Ministerial Roundtable on Digital Transformation, Undersecretary Jose outlined the Philippines’ comprehensive strategy to bridge the digital divide for MSMEs. He highlighted initiatives centered on infrastructure development, regulatory reform, support for e-commerce, and digital finance. “The challenge is not motivation, it is the digital divide,” Undersecretary Jose stated, noting that while 77 percent of Filipino MSMEs are eager to adopt digital tools, only 16 percent currently utilize them. He pointed to key national initiatives such as the Konektadong Pinoy Act, the Ease of Doing Business Law, the Bagong Pilipinas Marketplace, and the Kapatid Mentor ME Program, while calling for international cooperation to reduce ICT costs, align digital regulations, and strengthen digital skills at the community level.
On the sidelines of the conference, Undersecretary Jose met with ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton, reaffirming the Philippines’ enduring partnership with the International Trade Centre. With six active ITC-supported projects, including ARISE Plus Philippines, the Digital Pinas Initiative, and the Climate Competitiveness Project, the Philippines remains a crucial partner in ITC’s work on trade, innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development.
Undersecretary Jose reiterated the Philippines’ strong support for ITC’s leadership in implementing the Ministerial outcomes and underscored the country’s commitment to advancing an MSME-focused agenda through its upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026 and its contributions to shaping the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon next year.
Organized by the ITC and hosted by the Government of South Africa, the Global SME Ministerial Meeting marks the first time that small businesses have been formally recognized as a distinct constituency in global trade governance, representing a significant step towards building inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economies worldwide.
Undersecretary Jose led the Philippine delegation, supported by the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the WTO in Geneva and the Embassy of the Philippines in Pretoria.
