Small And Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) Week 16-20 July 2007

CIRCULAR LETTER NO. CL-2007-033

To : ALL BANKS AND NON-BANK FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Subject : Small And Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) Week 16-20 July 2007

In its 109th meeting last 25 April 2007, the SMED Council adopted the theme “Galing mo Pinoy...Go Negosyo” in the observance of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) Week scheduled on 16-20 July 2007. One of the highlights of the celebration will be the SME Exposition which will showcase various SME products at the Mega Halls 1 & 2, 5th Level, Building B, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

All banking institutions and their branches, through their respective associations (BAP, CTB, RBAP), are enjoined to provide full support to SMEs and raise public awareness on the important role of SMEs in the overall development plan of the government by, among other things, using their premises for the display of posters and distribution of other promotional materials on the subject.

Also, the SMED Council will be conferring awards on programs and services that significantly contributed to the development of micro, small and medium enterprises in the country. The awards dubbed as “Best Practices Awards” will focus on programs and services that have helped create a business and investment environment more conducive to SME growth, provide/improve access to finance, provide/improve access to markets, and improve productivity and efficiency.

The nomination is open to both government and private organizations implementing micro, small and medium enterprises programs and services. The awarding ceremony shall be held during the annual celebration of the SMED Week.

Should a bank wish to include its own program in the search for “Best Practices Awards”; it may seek nomination from any government agency or private organization in the area that is supportive of SMEs. The bank may also nominate the programs of other SME practitioners in the area. Attached are copies of the Awards guidelines and nomination form.

For further details about the SMED Week celebration and inquiries on the Awards and the availability of promotional materials, banks may get in touch with the SMED Council Secretariat, Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Department of Trade and Industry, 3rd Floor, Oppen Building, 349 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, at telephone numbers (02) 890-49-68, or the DTI Provincial Office nearest you.

For information and guidance.

NESTOR A. ESPENILLA, JR. Deputy Governor