Earlier this month, Coliver International Trading Inc. had the honour of being invited by the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to speak at the Iloilo City Trade Fair, where over 100 local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) gathered to learn how to scale their businesses and break into national retail.

Our co-founder Rhandie [Last Name], who brings a unique blend of operational expertise and real-world business experience, shared practical insights on how local businesses can prepare their operations, products, and brand strategies to meet the requirements of national retail chains like SM, Robinsons, Puregold, and Watsons.

Helping Local Brands Go National

The DTI’s goal for the event was to equip regional entrepreneurs with real-world knowledge on how to compete and win in the retail landscape. At Coliver, we know first-hand how challenging (and rewarding) that journey can be.

During the session, Rhandie walked MSMEs through:

• The role of distribution and marketing in long-term success
• What national buyers look for in new suppliers
• Product readiness: from packaging and shelf-life to compliance and certifications
• The importance of pricing structures that work in wholesale and promotional environments
• Retailer onboarding processes, from pitch decks to vendor applications

A Shared Mission

For us, this wasn’t just a speaking engagement — it was a reflection of our core mission at Coliver:

-| To connect local suppliers with national opportunity.

We believe there is enormous untapped potential in regional Philippine businesses — and with the right knowledge and partners, they can scale beyond city limits and into the national spotlight.

Gratitude and Next Steps

We are incredibly grateful to DTI Iloilo for the invitation and hospitality, and to the MSMEs who shared their stories, asked thoughtful questions, and left inspired to grow their businesses.