Globe has partnered with Singapore-based Proxtera, lead operator of the SME Financial Empowerment (SFE) program, and the Philippine Trade Training Center – Global MSME Academy (PTTC-GMEA), the training arm of the Department of Trade and Industry, to champion the SFE Program, which provides online courses designed to equip micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide with financial literacy and skills they need to succeed in the digital economy.
Globe’s partnership with the SFE Program involves supporting the production of localized content for Philippine MSMEs and extending free passes to its network of MSMEs. This March, the free passes were also extended to women-owned businesses in celebration of National Women’s Month.
By investing in the SFE program, Globe is committed to supporting the growth and development of MSMEs in the Philippines, regardless of their location.
“We are excited to bring the SME Financial Empowerment program to micro and small business owners in the Philippines. Through this partnership, we aim to empower local MSMEs with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive and succeed. We believe that this program can make a significant impact on the lives of Filipino entrepreneurs and contribute to economic development as a whole,” said KD Dizon, Group Head, Globe Business, MSME Group.
“With 99.5 percent of Filipino businesses being MSMEs, it is necessary to help them to become the best they can be. By unleashing their potential – especially in the age of digital and cross border economy, and by teaching them how to innovate, we are also teaching them how to become financially resilient,” PTTC-GMEA Executive Director Nelly Nita Dillera said.
Saurav Bhattacharyya, Proxtera CEO, said: “We are excited about our partnership with Globe, which allows us to expand our reach to more MSMEs in the Philippines and offer localized content that caters specifically to the needs of Filipino businesses. Our collaboration with PTTC-GMEA aligns with our commitment to building and nurturing small businesses, and helping them thrive in today’s challenging economic environment.”
SFE is a comprehensive and globally focused initiative by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), International Finance Corporation (IFC), and United Nations Development Program (UNDP). It aims to build foundational digital literacy and a good understanding of cross-border financial services relevant to MSMEs.
PTTC-GMEA is the official training partner of the SFE Program in the Philippines with the Global Fintech Institute as the academic partner.
The SFE program in the Philippines currently provides three courses that cater to MSMEs seeking to expand their businesses and benefit from digital marketplaces and the network effect. These courses offer valuable financial literacy insights and decision-making skills, allowing MSMEs to make informed decisions and achieve their business goals.
The Foundational Financial Literacy course covers fundamental financial concepts, financial discipline for success, and starter financial service options. It aims to equip learners with the necessary know-how to effectively manage their finances.
The Global Financial Literacy Course, on the other hand, delves deeper into crucial financial literacy principles and offers guidance on broadening one’s business to new markets, adopting novel digital financing options, and utilizing digital networks.
The latest addition to the SFE program is the Green Financing for SMEs Course, which emphasizes the importance of sustainable development for SMEs. It covers green vs traditional financing and provides learners with the tools and options to incorporate green financing into their business operations.
The courses include a series of modules with videos by industry experts explaining different concepts followed by a short quiz. Each module has a content summary downloadable as PDF so users can refer to it as an additional resource.
To get started, interested parties can visit smefe.org, which is accessible via the web and can also be downloaded as an app for Android and iOS. They can register for the course on the dashboard and start by watching the videos and answering the questions. Upon completing the course, users will receive a verifiable certificate instantly.
About Globe
Globe is a leading full-service telecommunications company in the Philippines and publicly listed in the PSE with the stock symbol GLO. The company serves the telecommunications and technology needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connectivity, internet and managed services. It has major interests in financial technology, digital marketing solutions, venture capital funding for startups, and virtual healthcare. In 2019, Globe became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, committing to implement universal sustainability principles. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel, acknowledged industry leaders in the country and in the region.
To learn more about Globe, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.
About Proxtera
Proxtera is creating the global open digital ecosystem of MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) with trusted credentials that help them gain access to trade opportunities and financial services for greater growth.
Proxtera’s mission is to transform business-to-business trade using technology to make marketplaces efficient and discoverable globally and to enable holistic cross-marketplace and cross-border trade leveraging on trusted credentials to improve financing, fulfilment and empowerment.
Proxtera was launched at the end of 2020 as the operationalisation of the Business sans Borders (BSB) initiative by MAS and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). BSB seeks to develop a collaborative global digital infrastructure that would help to increase cross-border trade opportunities and enhance digital and financial inclusivity for MSMEs in the underserved global B2B e-commerce market space.
Find out more at https://proxtera.com/ or email us at contact@proxtera.com.
About PTTC-GMEA
The Philippine Trade Training Center – Global MSME Academy (PTTC-GMEA) is the training arm of the Department of Trade and Industry. It is committed to assisting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in advancing their skills and competencies through comprehensive training and capacity-building programs, facilities and services, and global discussions. Over the years, PTTC-GMEA has been at the forefront of equipping growth-oriented MSMEs with learning programs which ultimately envision innovative, globally competitive, and nationally & internationally aligned businesses.
About Global Fintech Institute
The Global FinTech Institute, headquartered in Singapore, is a global professional credentialing body dedicated to creating greater collaboration, advocacy, ethics and knowledge for all Fintech professionals.
It aims to empower members and the community to leverage Fintech for growth and transformation, through engaging the community in the latest trends, issues and development in Fintech; facilitating collaborations with and knowledge-sharing among regional and international Fintech organisations; promoting best practices and co-developing standards and governance guidelines for the fair use of Fintech and providing education and training to build industry capabilities and groom talents in Fintech.
For more information on GFI, please visit www.globalfintechinstitute.org.
