The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), in partnership with International Labour Organization (ILO), organized the first Training of Trainers (ToT) in Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) as part of the implementation of the “The Bangsamoro Agri-Enterprise Program: Creating REsponsible Sustainable Competitive ENTerprises” (BAEP CRESCENT) last November 21-25, 2023 in EM Manor Hotel, Cotabato City.

Developed by the ILO, the SIYB was designed as a management-training programme with a focus on starting and improving small businesses as a strategy for creating more and better employment in emerging economies. This programme aimed to address the digitalization realities and challenges that enterprises face.

Specifically, the five-day training covered discussions on professional competencies, financial management, marketing strategies, and record keeping to name a few. Teaching methodologies such as adult learning discussion, group exercises and role-playing activities were applied to stimulate the interaction among the group. ILO consultants Jess Macasil and Oliver Barnedo facilitated the session discussion and activities.

Training participants came from different government offices, civil service organizations, and the business sector from Cotabato, Maguindanao, Marawi and Lanao del Sur. They shared business scenarios that contextualized the business landscape and practices in BARMM.

As the lead implementer, the ECCP presented the BAEP-CRESCENT, a project funded by the European Union that  aims to contribute to a peaceful, cohesive, secure, and inclusively developed Bangsamoro by promoting rural and value chain development. Its specific objective is to elaborate and facilitate the agri-business development and promotion strategy through the creation of responsible, sustainable, and competitive enterprises in the BARMM Agribusiness sector as well as initiating investment and export promotion activities.