PACKWORKS, a local startup that provides a business-to-business (B2B), open platform to sari-sari (variety) stores, announces the addition of former Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) secretary Ramon Lopez and three other industry leaders to its Board of Advisors.

Joining Lopez are Angkas Founder Angeline Tham; ZQR Corp. founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Simon Paterno, who is also a former president and CEO of the Development Bank of the Philippines; and former Bank of the Philippine Islands executive vice president and Integrated Microelectronics Inc. CEO and Vice Chairman Arthur Tan, who is also president and CEO of AC Industrial at Ayala.

Lopez — who chaired DTI institutions such as the Board of Investments, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, the Export Development Council, the Anti-Red Tape Authority Advisory Council, the Philippine International Trading Corp., the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, and the Halal Board — will draw on his experience in the trade sector to further push his advocacy, supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that provide development and ease of doing business to the retailers.

"It is my intention, after my stint at the DTI, to pursue my advocacy on MSME development through technology and innovation; to take their business to the next level and improve their efficiencies," Lopez said.

"Packworks is a great business and model, aligned with this advocacy. It is a changemaker, improving the lives of others. The success in scaling up the community of MSMEs through digitalization is the success of Packworks. It is an honor to be a part of Packworks."