CEBU CITY — Women entrepreneurs need stronger links to supermarkets, institutional buyers, large companies, and export markets to expand their businesses, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Regan Rex King said over the weekend.
Speaking at the Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair 2026 at SM City Cebu, King said that while trade fairs give women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) opportunities to showcase their products, these should also lead to longer-term business opportunities.
Business groups should help entrepreneurs secure supplier matching, procurement opportunities and connections with larger companies, King pointed out.
He also cited digitalization and business formalization as important tools for growth — saying that while many entrepreneurs are willing to adopt technology, some still lack affordable connectivity, training, and appropriate digital tools.
Businesses can progress from using social media for promotion to adopting e-commerce, digital payments and online accounting, allowing them to reach international markets, King said.
Formalizing businesses through registration, permits and proper documentation can also improve access to financing, institutional buyers and supply chains, he added.
Melanie Ng, WomenBizPH MSME council member for the Visayas, said demand for products from women-led businesses is growing. Some exhibitors were unable to join the Cebu fair because they had already sold out their products in Manila, she said.
Ng noted that WomenBizPH has focused its programs on improving women’s access to markets, financing, education, and technology.
The Women Strong Network was established in December 2021 with 120 founding women-led MSMEs, and support from the Department of Trade and Industry as technical adviser. It aims to strengthen entrepreneurs’ resilience and provide opportunities for innovation, learning, and collaboration.
WomenBizPH president Rosemarie Bosch-Ong said the network was created during the pandemic to provide women entrepreneurs a platform to sell their products. Some members have since expanded their businesses and begun exporting within Asia.
The Cebu trade fair used a hybrid format, allowing customers to buy products at the physical exhibit or through online channels.
WomenBizPH will also serve as the flagship women’s organization for the Asean Women Economic Summit Philippines on Nov. 7-9 at Okada Manila.
The group will lead the summit with the Asean Business Advisory Council Philippines as part of the country’s 2026 Asean chairship.