With the objective of giving small businesses a corner in cyberspace to hawk their merchandise, Internet giant Google unveiled recently what it calls its Philippine business stimulus package.

The US-based tech firm tapped agencies from the government and private sector, particularly the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), Go Negosyo, and STI, to launch the economic initiative.

The Philippines is the third country in Southeast Asia to introduce the Google-led program after Singapore and Thailand. It took four months of planning and collaboration before the project was unveiled to the public.

Under the deal, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the country can avail of the business stimulus package by signing up at www.google.com.ph/stimulus until December 15, 2009.

The Internet search giant is giving out P2,000 worth of free credits from its Google AdWords program to all local firms who will sign up for the package.

Although any local company that has a product to sell and a valid business permit can apply for the package, only the first 200 MSMEs who will register for the package will get a website for free.

The websites, based on Google’s Blogger platform, were developed by computer school STI. Those who can’t avail it for free can pay a one-time fee of P3,000 to STI for the website development work.

Derek Callow, head of marketing for Google Southeast Asia, said during the launch that an online presence allows MSMEs to take advantage of the huge reach but inexpensive cost of the Internet.

As part of its obligations, STI will also be providing free tutorial to MSMEs on starting a website, marketing products, and services online, and using Google’s technologies to promote their business.

MSMEs make up 99.7 percent of the country’s businesses and create 70 percent of the country’s jobs annually.

Google said in order for them to bounce back from a crisis that has left them with decreased sales and smaller budgets, they need to grow their businesses without breaking the bank.

Commissioner Monchito Ibrahim of the CICT said the agency would provide the “structural support” to the business stimulus plan by promoting it in various channels and stakeholders.

To provide marketing support, the Philippine Marketing Association (PMA) and the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) have also thrown in their support to the plan by promoting it to their members and attendees of their many events and trade shows.