The 4^th Philippine Small Medium Enterprises and Franchise Expo (PHILSME EXPO 2012) to be staged at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on May 11, 12 and 13 just got bigger and better.

This three-day expo, presented for the fourth time by premier events specialist Trade Advertising Exhibitions & Conventions International Inc. (TRADECON), gets a  major boost from its partnership with ESQUIRE Financing Inc. (EFI), the country’s leader in Growth Stage Financing. EFI is a company dedicated to furthering the venture of growing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by offering specialized business solutions to SMEs. It decided to co-present the expo because it believes in the significance of bringing together the SME owners and various publics (investors, clients, consumers, distributors, and suppliers, among others) to interact and tap into one another’s potential contributions to the emerging small and medium enterprise market.

SMEs play a major role in the country’s economic development as they contribute to the creation of business opportunities, generation of employment, and linkages to existing industries both here and abroad.

As of 2009, small and medium enterprises comprise 99.6 percent of the almost 80,000 business enterprises operating in the Philippines, according to data by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Sixty-three percent of the labor force earns their living through SMEs. While most of the jobs generated by the sector can be found in the National Capital Region, SMEs also propel employment in rural areas especially in economic zones spread around the country.

Aside from product showcase and a venue to link market players, the 4th Philippine Small Medium Enterprises and Franchise Expo (PHILSME EXPO 2012) will also provide opportunities for idea exchange and product demos for budding businessmen, as well as a great deal of free services, workshops and seminars, classes and new product launches.

Various SME players from direct selling, agriculture, hotel and restaurant management, banking, marketing, insurance and service providers will be setting up their kiosks for the three-day exhibit.

At the press conference held recently, Chinkee Tan who is a wealth coach, motivational speaker and host of KBP Golden Dove awardee 92.3 FM RadyoSingko “CHINK POSITIVE” show expressed his support for the upcoming expo and is encouraging each one to awaken their entrepreneurial spirit and engage in business that they’re good at and interested in. ESQUIRE Financing Inc. President and CEO Rajan Uttamchandani also expressed optimism at the country’s business environment this year. Life & Personal Finance advocate, one of Moneysense’s 12 Most Influential Persons in Personal Finance and Phil. Daily Inquirer columnist Randell Tiongson will also be featured at this event.

If you are an aspiring businessman, an established business owner, a budding entrepreneur or an interested consumer, come and be part of the PHIL SME 2012. For more information, please call 395-5009, 395-5137, 343-3368, or email  [email protected] for details.