Support entrepreneurial culture to help trade deficit

We would like to contribute our two cents’ worth regarding your editorial, “Trade deficit not at all bad, but…” (12/17/18).

Indeed, importation is not an end in itself; rather, our imports are the means to be  more productive (especially considering  the changing profile of what we import).

Given this perspective, the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) is one with the national effort to sustain our country’s growth trajectory, and not with just a form of growth that depends on the mere assembly of electronic parts and other simple technology requiring low skills.

Rather, we are doing our part to spur growth that is based on a strong entrepreneurial culture.

The Philippines must take advantage of the opportunities that abound in accessing manufacturing and design technology, acquiring needed production machinery/ equipment, and, leveling up skills to thrive in the new economy.

Our micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) form the bulk of enterprises in the Philippines, and efforts to amp them up through capability-building would enable them to be nimble as they grow their businesses.

Technology and people must come together, and this is what the PTTC does through our menu of trainings tailor-fit to the needs of our MSMEs.

This will eventually help the economy and contribute to the  elimination of the persistent trade deficit.

NESTOR P. PALABYAB, Executive Director, Philippine Trade Training Center, Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City