PRO-FIT

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) account for more than 99% of establishments in the Philippines, employing 70% of the total labour force'. Undeniably, MSMEs constitute the backbone of the economy, playing a major role in the country's growth and development, and are crucial for the development of the private sector. The MSMEs in the Philippine food sector have great potential. Up to 42% of manufacturing value added is achieved in the food industry.

Nevertheless, local MSMEs in food production and processing have a very small presence in the Philippine market. The majority of the food products that are avail¬able within Philippine retail chains are produced in neighbouring Asian countries. The problem is that the development of the sector is slowed by uncoordinated and professionally or technically outdated qualification for MSMEs, especially on food safety. Many companies do not comply with programmes like GMP and HACCP because they avoid the costs underestimating the benefits of those programmes. Another problem is a lack of adequate public action against noncompliance with food regulations and standards.

This project aims at introducing a variety of qualification courses on food safety regulations and standards in order to enhance the capacity of local MSMEs in the food and beverage industry and make them more compatible with the local and foreign markets. In cooperation with relevant stakeholders, it will create awareness and address benefits of food safety regulations and standards. It will also create a coordinated effort of relevant stakeholders to develop curricula for various qualification courses on food safety regulations and standards and it supports the implementation of these courses.