Known for his passion for micro, small and medium enterprise during his stint as the Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, Ramon Lopez has formally joined Packworks, a local startup that provides a business-to-business open platform to sari-sari stores as a member of its Board of Advisors.

Joining Packworks' board aside from Lopez are top business executives Angkas founder Angeline Tham; ZQR Corp. founder and CEO, Simon Paterno; and Integrated Microelectronics CEO and vice chairperson, Arthur Lopez.

Lopez, who chaired DTI institutions such as the Board of Investments, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, the Export Development Council, Anti-Red Tape Authority Advisory Council, Philippine International Trading Corp., Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, and the Halal Board, will draw on his experiences in the trade sector to further push his advocacy in supporting MSMEs that provide development and ease of doing business to retailers.

MSME advocacy continues

"It is my intention, after my stint at the DTI, to pursue my advocacy on MSME development through technology and innovation, to take their business to the next level, and improve their efficiencies," Lopez said.

"I believe digitalization of MSMEs is a great equalizer, bringing prosperity for all. Packworks is a great business and model aligned with this advocacy. It is a changemaker, improving the lives of others. The success in scaling up the community of MSMEs through digitalization is the success of Packworks. It is an honor to be a part of Packworks, a business with a purpose," Lopez added.