The Next Customer May Be Outside the Usual Market
OZAMIZ CITY- The October 2 PIA report said stronger linkages with ASEAN and partner economies could help Mindanao MSMEs explore regional markets for local products and services. Cagayan de Oro Chamber President Almarco C. Brito identified food and agricultural products, seafood, halal products, logistics, warehousing, tourism-related services, manufacturing, and business-to-business services as areas with potential in the wider regional economy. For Ozamiz entrepreneurs, these sectors are relevant as they consider whether an existing product or service could eventually be adapted for buyers outside the city. The opportunity, however, should be viewed as a possibility rather than an automatic pathway to export sales.
Market Expansion Requires More Than a Good Product
Going after new customers also means preparing for requirements that may not be as demanding in purely local transactions. The same October report identified limited information about potential buyers, market requirements, export procedures, documentation, compliance, financing, and working capital as challenges faced by MSMEs seeking foreign markets. It also emphasized the importance of improving productivity and competitiveness before approaching international buyers. This gives Ozamiz business owners a practical checklist: understand the target market, examine compliance requirements, strengthen production capacity, and build the financial ability to fulfill larger or unfamiliar orders.
Business Networks Can Become the Bridge to New Buyers
The discussion also pointed to trade missions, business events, mentoring networks, and government agencies as possible bridges between MSMEs and regional opportunities. DTI's Negosyo Center system in Northern Mindanao provides services that include business registration assistance, financial literacy, product development support, and entrepreneurship coaching, while DTI has also highlighted digitalization and wider market access as part of its MSME development work. For entrepreneurs in Ozamiz, this makes market expansion less about simply finding another customer and more about building the knowledge, contacts, and systems needed to serve one. The October conversation therefore offers a timely direction for businesses that are ready to ask not only “What can I sell?” but also “Which market could need it next?”
