More than 100 PH Businesses Join the 2nd AOSD

In an effort to promote various products across the region, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) recently launched its second ASEAN Online Sale Day (AOSD). The event will span from August 8 to 10 and more than 100 Filipino-owned businesses have been identified to participate.

Director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion Marievic Bonoan said in a recent interview that 119 companies, to be exact, from the Philippines have joined the region-wide sale.

The AOSD is an initiative organized by the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on E-Commerce to promote cross-border trade among the participating countries.

A wide variety of products and services will be offered at discounted prices through the event. It is also geared to encourage the shift to e-commerce throughout the SEA region.

Bonoan further explained that this particular platform could serve as a viable avenue for micr0, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to sell their products to a wider consumer base.

A majority of the companies that joined the event have been identified to be involved in the food and beverage sector. Other participants have been known to come from hotel and travel as well as the apparel industries.

Only 36 companies from the country participated in last year’s AOSD. This year, it was easily exceeded with 47 brands alone coming from the DTI’s GoLokal! a platform for MSMEs.

The country’s surging e-commerce industry could significantly help with post-pandemic economic recovery, said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez. The DTI is urging Filipino consumers to engage in the event as well by purchasing from homegrown MSMEs.

“Our participation in this year’s AOSD would allow us to create a better normal by taking advantage of the benefits of e-commerce in the region. More e-commerce also means more jobs and employment generated for our countrymen,” he elaborated.

Source: PhilStar