The Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Geneva, in collaboration with the Philippine Mission to the UN in Geneva and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Geneva, held a “TNK: Trabaho, Negosyo, Konsyumer” session with members of the Filipino Community in Switzerland.

Minister and Consul General (M/CG) Ms. Josephine Reynante, in her opening remarks, emphasized that the Philippine government has set its sights on achieving a more inclusive growth for the benefit of all Filipinos, and that the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 is the blueprint of the administration of the government, which lays down the foundation for inclusive growth and a global competitive economy to achieve a “matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay”. She also noted that the Plan is geared towards strengthening the engagements of Overseas Filipinos, who in Switzerland, have breached the 12,000 mark and have contributed significantly to the growth of both the Philippines and Switzerland as their host country. She encouraged them also to actively participate in the national development initiatives.

                                                  DCM/CG Reynante delivers her remarks at the Opening of the TNK Session in Zürich which was participated in by members of the Filipino Community in Switzerland

TNK discussed the: 1) programs of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in line with the AmBisyon 2020 which is a picture of the future, and a set of life goals and goals of the Filipino people for the country, as well as business opportunities in the Philippines; and the 2) mandate and assistance that the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) can extend to its members in need.

Trade Attaché Ms. Magnolia Uy of PTIC, in her presentation, also shared that DTI, in support of an “Inclusive, Innovation-led Growth” for a strong ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), is encouraging every Filipino to become entrepreneurs themselves through setting up small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and, in the process, contribute to the economic growth of the Philippines while becoming financially stable themselves. To realize this, DTI adopts a seven-point strategy or 7Ms namely: Mindset, Mastery of the subject, Mentoring, access to Markets, Money access, access to Machines, and Models of Business. More information on the 7Ms can be accessed from: https://www.dti.gov.ph/businesses/msmes/the-7ms-of-successful-entrepreneurs.

Trade Attaché Ms. Magnolia Uy presented the AmBisyon 2040 and the business opportunities in the Philippines including on e-commerce, start-ups, and franchising.

Labor Attaché Mr. Delmer Cruz discussed the history and mandate of OWWA, and the benefits OWWA can extend to its members such as scholarship programs for qualified dependents, welfare assistance, and repatriation assistance. He also encouraged qualified participants to register and become a member of OWAA in order to be covered and be extended appropriate assistance should they need it.

Labor Attaché Mr. Delmer Cruz presented the mandate of OWWA, as well as its programs and assistance it provides to its members.

Mr. Arnel Talisayon of the Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva also made a presentation on financial literacy wherein he highlighted the need to plan one’s future, save to achieve it, and act / invest on the said plan to achieve financial freedom. He advised the participants to study their intended investments carefully and to be cautious in accepting offers of investments, emphasizing that there are always “high risks with high gains” and “low risk with low gains”.

Mr. Talisayon of GPM shows the right formula for savings during his presentation on financial literacy.

TNK is a program by the government, the private sector, academe, and civil society organizations whereby they to partner towards increasing incomes by generating more jobs, and promoting entrepreneurship.    END