by Venus G. Villanueva

Kalibo, Aklan  — Sales from products of Aklan’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) here are picking up with the entry in Aklan of direct international flights from Incheon, South Korea to Kalibo Airport.

The direct flights, which started May 11 of this year, are now sustained on a daily basis through the Asian Spirit airline.

According to DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Ermelinda Pollentes, the rise in sales in Aklan-SMEs-produced food items displayed at the Kalibo Airport remarkably increased since the landing of direct flights from South Korea. Sales of other goods, like souvenir items and loom-woven products also rose, according to Pollentes, not only in the Kalibo Airport area but in other outlets in the province.

Pollentes also revealed that besides being displayed and sold here in Aklan and generating good sales, some local food products also found their way to big malls and other outlets in Western Visayas and some parts of the country.

“SMEs are the backbone of the economy, and have a big role and impact in the province’ economy and industries, especially in the tourism aspect”, Pollentes said.

SMEs also generate jobs, thus helping the government in its target of creating 10 million jobs for the Filipinos.

This month, according to DTI-Aklan, the country is also celebrating the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Week and some activities in the province, spearheaded by DTI, had been lined up for the observance, like the SME Forum and the conduct of an Advanced Training on Fabric Construction, aided by the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) and the local government unit of Kalibo.

The SME forum is an opportunity for Aklan Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs) to exchange ideas, discuss concerns and be updated on issues or events affecting respective industry sectors, while the Fabric Construction training will be an opportunity for skilled weavers from the different weaving houses here to acquire new weaving styles and patterns as well as new techniques.

The Fabric Construction Training, which will be held for five days, will have 16 participants. DTI-Aklan said the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will also assist in the training by renting looms for use of the participants. (PIA)

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