Manila, Sept. 11 -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is moving to cut permitting delays for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) while expanding their market access after Metro Manila trade shows generated about PHP1 billion in sales in the first half of 2026.

Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque told the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship on Friday that DTI is developing dedicated MSME "green lanes" with the Anti-Red Tape Authority, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Food and Drug Administration, and Bureau of Fire Protection.

"We are cutting red tape by building a dedicated green lane for MSME and the DTI," Roque said.

The system, targeted for completion by year-end or the first quarter of 2027, would in...