Last Dec 15, the Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion announced the opening of the National Trade Fair Digital Mall, a permanent e-commerce platform for Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the country’s 17 regions.
The Philippines is home to some of the largest malls in the world, and “malling” is recognized as a favorite pastime for many Filipino families. People spend time at the mall not just to go shopping; more often, it’s a way to relax, check out the latest trends, keep updated on what’s new, and people watch.
But what does the NTF Digital Mall have to offer?
Hundreds of digital stores and exhibitors
There are currently 223 MSMEs who have set up their digital stores within the NTF platform. Visiting https://ntfdigimall.linker.store/ takes you to the home page which shows you the top categories of the products offered. These include gifts & souvenirs, home & living, fashion and accessories, food & beverages, and health & beauty. There is also a search box where you can type in a specific item you are shopping for.
You can also check out a particular exhibitor by clicking on the “Visit Store” button. This will open that exhibitor’s online store where you can see all of the products offered, complete with description and price. To purchase a product, just click “add to cart” or “buy now.” When you’ve finished shopping at that store, you can complete the checkout process with the delivery and payment details.
For B2B opportunities, interested parties can get more information about the exhibitor through the “view our business profile” button.
Inspirational success stories
Being an entrepreneur is not easy, and building up a business requires taking risks, learning from mistakes, and making sacrifices. To help struggling entrepreneurs find encouragement and inspiration from those who understand their particular challenges, the NTF Digital Mall also shares the success stories of selected MSMEs.
Online learning resources
Many Filipinos discovered their entrepreneurial talent during the pandemic, launching home-based businesses to supplement their income. To help aspiring tycoons build a sound foundation for their business, the NTF Digital Mall offers online learning resources and webinars on topics such as e-commerce, MSME tips, and consumer welfare.
The NTF Digital Mall intends to showcase the best products from all over the country. As more MSMEs qualify for the stringent criteria, the list of exhibitors in this e-commerce platform is expected to grow. The NTF Digital Mall is powered by UnionBank (UB) GlobalLinker, a free and innovative platform with tools for efficient business management and network expansion to help MSMEs grow online.
For more information about the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion, please follow their social media accounts @BDTP on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You may also email bdtp@dti.gov.ph.
