DAVAO CITY – The Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) is setting up an Information Technology (IT) center for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) here to address the needs of the SMEs.

Initiated by IBM Philippines, Inc., in partnership with DCCCII and ICT-Davao, the Davao City SME Center will provide solutions to problems of SMEs through innovation and technology.

Speaking before the Club 888 media forum on Wednesday, Andrei Fournier, member of the board of trustees of ICT Davao, revealed that the new partnership will help expose the local SME market to IT.

“The center is borne out from the realization that it will not only provide service but will act as a business enabler, at the same time provide IBM partners and local developers an avenue to innovate and advocate,” he said.

For its part, the DCCCII, where the center will be housed, will manage the operations of the Davao City SME Center while IBM brings its knowledge in SME solutions in Mindanao through the SME center.

Fournier also added that the experience gained from the technology center will be evaluated to determine the basis for further SME solution centers by IBM.

IBM Philippines, Inc. also vowed to provide efficient service to SMEs here. It also aims to make a substantial contribution to SMEs especially in cities where IBM’s geo-expansion initiatives are concentrated.

Fournier disclosed that IBM will make available to DCCCII one Blade Server unit inclusive of peripherals and enablement kit, and trainings worth more than P1.4 million.

He likewise disclosed that ICT Davao is also committed to market/promote SME Center as a training/advocacy tool for Davao SMEs, as well access to SME Toolkit and other Open Source tools (i.e. IBM Lotus Symphony) and manage and oversee maintenance of their three donated desktop PCs and other IT peripherals.