President welcomes Google commitment to help MSMEs

WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed the commitment of Google to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) in the Philippines grow their businesses.

The chief executive met with executives of the technology giant, led by Google’s Global Vice President and Government Affairs and Public Policy head Karan Bhatia who shared the organization’s initiatives to upskill MSMEs in the digital landscape in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

President welcomes Google commitment to help MSMEs

Bhatia told Marcos their desire to “enable small businesses to get a presence online and figure out how to connect with the rest of the world.”

The Google executive likewise committed to train over 100,000 children and their parents on responsible use of digital technology and how to safely and responsibly use it.

In collaboration with the DTI, Google also rolled out Google Career Certificates (GCC) in the department’s virtual campuses, covering over 1,300 DTI Negosyo Centers in 16 regions nationwide.

This builds upon the 40,000 GCC scholarships Google previously distributed to equip Filipino youths, jobseekers, MSMEs entrepreneurs, and civil servants with in-demand skills in project management, cybersecurity, IT support, data analytics, UX design, and digital marketing.

“We are thankful for Google’s impactful support in boosting our digital landscape, from internet independence to enhancing online safety and MSME growth,” the President said. “Together, we’re forging a stronger digitally empowered Philippines.”

Marcos’ meeting with Google immediately followed his successful trilateral meeting with United States President Joe Biden and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on Thursday afternoon (local time) here where they discussed ways forward to enhance economic and maritime cooperation between the three countries.

Having started its operations in the Philippines in 2013, Google currently employs around 50,000 workers in the country and is mulling expanding its businesses and operations in the archipelago.