Barcelona, 03 October 2022 - The global pandemic has had an adverse impact on Philippine businesses based in Barcelona as their operations were practically put to a halt for more than a year. Cognizant of this dilemma, Barcelona PCG in partnership with the Barcelona Activa held the first ever business workshop/seminar at the Consulate on 03 October 2022 to help address their concerns, with the aim of helping them recuperate some of their unearned income.
Twenty-six (26) entrepreneurs and future business owners took part in the two-hour seminar. Participants from the Filipino community were provided information on how to expand, update-digitize, enhance and effectively market their businesses to allow them to maximize their full potential. Individuals who were contemplating setting up a business enterprise were also advised on how to start the process.
Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro in her welcome message said, “This business seminar is just the initial session in what I hope will be a series of events that will help empower and uplift Philippine businesses in Barcelona”. Consul General Lazaro motivated the participants to dream big and aim for the mainstreaming of their businesses in the local community. Consul General Lazaro also encouraged the participants to share best practices and not consider other Philippine businesses as competitors as we should all be representing our country with pride and with a sense of fulfillment.
Barcelona Activa representatives assured all the participants that they will assist the Consulate so that appropriate provision of financial assistance, administrative resources, training programs, networking and other forms of non-monetary assistance will be available to Philippine businesses in Barcelona.
After the two-hour seminar, the participants all shared a sense of camaraderie as the gathering allowed them to fellowship and help support each other’s respective businesses. Ms. Arianne Bahala owner of Kasarap Restaurant intimated, “I am grateful to the Philippine Consulate as the seminar opened an opportunity for me to avail myself of the resources and services offered by Barcelona Activa at no cost to my company.” Another participant, Ms. Baicel Papasin, proprietor of La Gran Familia Restaurant said, “I am glad to know that we as entrepreneurs have official channels to go to when we need verifiable replies to our business-related queries.” Lastly, Ms. Leonila Cabradilla of Grupo Tahanan Remittance and Real Estate Agency shared, “It is very enlightening that this time it was the Philippine Consulate and Barcelona Activa who reached out to the Filipino community to provide the support that we need”. END