Cotabato City now has DTI-sponsored biz resource center

COTABATO CITY (Sept.20) - A local business chamber and the Department of Trade and Industry launched on Thursday the Business Resource Center (BRC) here, a facet for advisory and extension services needed to boost the local economy.The Muslim Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kutawato, Inc., chaired by entrepreneur Bai Sandra Siang, will oversee the operation of the BRC.The DTI's office in Region 12 provided the BRC with office equipment, including laptop and desk top computers with complete accessories, a photo copier, a Nikon camera, a scanner and an LCD projector to hasten its delivery of technical and advisory assistance to merchants and people still planning put up profitable business ventures.The DTI-12’s equipment package for the newly-established Cotabato City BRC was part of the department’s Shared Services Facility (SSF) program.The SSF is a support intervention meant to help empower local industries and communal entities engaged in economic activities.The DTI-12 had earlier provided SSF equipment to food industries and agricultural processing establishments in different parts of Central Mindanao.Among the beneficiaries of the DTI-12's SSF project in the region were a women’s cooperative producing exportable sugar made from coconut sap, and a rubber research facility in the University of Southern Mindanao in North Cotabato’s Carmen and Kabacan towns, respectively.The ceremonial launching of the BRC, located along Jose Lim, Sr. Street here, was jointly officiated by Siang, who is engaged in hardware and construction supply business, and officer-in-charge Carlito Nuñez of the DTI-12’s office in Cotabato City and his staff.The event was witnessed by physician Danda Juanday, who is President of the Metro Cotabato Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. and Shalimar Candao, regional assistant tourism secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and employees of local banks.Nuñez said he is confident the BRC can help them maximize the DTI’s extension services to clients, which the center can help link up with the department.