Through mentorship, support and funding, these business whizzes are helping micro, small and medium enterprises remain competitive
Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are hailed as “the backbone of the Asia-Pacific region’s economy” by The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific hails m, citing their resilient nature and ability to create jobs and drive innovation in domestic markets. Recognising the importance of MSMEs in creating a healthy economy, the forward-thinking business leaders on Asia’s Most Influential have made it their mission to champion local businesses, which account for 97 per cent of all enterprises in the region. Through their associations or agencies, these MSME advocates provide what businesses need the most: support via programmes and mentorship, including the tools to digitise operations as well as access to larger markets and funding, all of which are needed by enterprises to flourish.
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Jose ‘Joey’ Concepcion III, chairman and president, RFM Corporation (Philippines)
Apart from his leadership roles in food and beverage company RFM Corporation, Jose Concepcion III is the founder of Go Negosyo, the non-profit organisation that empowers over a million MSMEs in the Philippines. With the goal of alleviating poverty by promoting an entrepreneurial mindset, he spearheads Go Negosyo’s programmes, which include mentorship encounters, public-private partnerships and national summits. 3M on Wheels, for example, is a free mentorship programme that has provided one-on-one coaching and financing solutions to more than 2,000 MSMEs and leaders across the country.
In January 2024, Go Negosyo announced its partnership with the Cooperative Development Authority to boost agriculture entrepreneurship in the country. Concepcion, who also lends his expertise to the government as the Private Sector Advisory Council lead for the jobs sector, announced Go Negosyo’s plans to hold 50 free mentorship events this year.
Read Jose ‘Joey’ Concepcion III’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential
