Boost for Victorias City MSMEs at USAID SPEED Event on World MSME Day

Victorias City, Negros Occidental – On June 27, 2024, the Victorias Coliseum buzzed with anticipation as business owners and entrepreneurs gathered for the "DigiCities Masterclass," a key event under USAID's SPEED (Strengthening Private Enterprises for the Digital Economy) initiative, coinciding with World MSME Day. This global observance, designated by the United Nations, celebrates the crucial role of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in achieving sustainable development and promoting innovation.

The event began at 8:30 AM with registration and concluded in the afternoon with a closing message and a photo opportunity. Atty. Gino Jacinto, COO of UNAWA, captivated the audience with his presentation, "From Ink to Click: The Digital Signature Advantage for Small Businesses." This session highlighted the innovative features of UNAWA’s SignSecure platform, which uniquely integrates facial recognition into its e-signature process, ensuring enhanced security and compliance. Atty. Jacinto emphasized the efficiency, faster processes, improved compliance, and cost savings that digital transitions offer, aligning with UNAWA’s mission to support SMEs in their digital transformation journey.

The event, powered by GCash for Business and delivered by StartUp Village, included various insightful sessions. The event flow began with a welcome message and an introduction to the USAID SPEED Activity, followed by sessions on adopting a growth mindset through digitization, leveraging eCommerce for business growth, the advantages of digital signatures, and improving logistics to bridge borders. Representatives from Prosperna, MyKartero, and DigiCities also shared valuable insights. The event concluded with acknowledging partners.

Benefits of SignSecure for MSMEs: SignSecure helps MSMEs streamline their processes by reducing administrative time and speeding up document access and approvals. Digital documentation maintains accurate records, simplifies compliance, and uses automated systems for audit trails and deadline alerts. It reduces the need for storage, paper, printing, mailing, and labor, allowing cost savings to be reinvested in other business areas. Moreover, the facial recognition feature of SignSecure adds a layer of security, ensuring that only authorized individuals can sign documents.

What is a DigiCity? A DigiCity is a city that leverages digital technologies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its services, promote economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for its residents. DigiCities initiatives often involve integrating digital solutions across various sectors, including governance, business, and infrastructure, to create a more connected and intelligent urban environment.

Victorias City, one of 27 DigiCities in the Philippines, shares UNAWA’s vision for digital advancement. This masterclass marks a significant step towards empowering businesses through technology and fostering a more robust and inclusive digital economy.

For more information on UNAWA and their suite of digital solutions, visit UNAWA.