According to the announcement
made by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), it will be working
cooperatively with the Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI) so that MSME products will be more competitive in the world market and
more accessible to a larger number of consumers.
A partnership between the DOST and the DTI
will make the products and services offered by local micro, small, and medium
enterprises (MSMEs) more competitive in the world market.
MSMEs will also be more accessible to a
larger number of consumers since both departments will share their materials,
knowledge, and facilities.
During the “Innovation Partners: DTI and
DOST” media briefing held recently at the 3M Office in Taguig City, details of
the cooperation agreement between the two were formally shared to members of
the media.
DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña and
DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez led the aforementioned occasion. The two agencies
agreed to work together for the dissemination of information and knowledge on
science, technology, and innovation in the country,
DOST Sec de la Peña said, “This kind of
cooperation between the two agencies is quite timely, because both of us have
priorities to enhance the capabilities of MSMEs in the country, particularly in
the provinces.”
Moreover, DTI Sec Lopez believes that the
cooperation between the two government agencies would provide benefits not only
to the MSMEs but also to local governments and its residents.
Sec Lopez explained, “DOST and DTI have a
common goal which is to bring development to every part of the country. As
these two agencies embark on this partnership, we assure that we would give our
best efforts to maximise the use of each other’s resources and facilities to
support the productivity of our local MSMEs and, eventually, allow them to give
job opportunities to the local residents.
One of the highlights that happened during
the media briefing was the turnover ceremony of the S&T Nook of the DOST to
the Negosyo Centres of the DTI.
The S&T Nook is a stand-alone kiosk
that contains important information on the various DOST services as well as research
and development projects.
The agreement between DOST and DTI also
includes allowing DTI’s One Town, One Product (OTOP) project beneficiaries to
enrol their local products at DOST’s oneSTore.ph.
oneSTore.ph is an E-commerce Web
Application that operates nationwide and caters primarily to Philippine
consumers.
oneSTore helps the Department of Science
and Technology's assisted MSMEs widen the scope of their target market. It can
help deliver economic growth and increase business opportunities.
oneSTore provides customers with an
effortless shopping experience and retailers with simple and direct access to
the largest customer base in the Philippines.
The DTI is a Philippine Government agency tasked
as the main economic catalyst that enables innovative, competitive, job
generating, inclusive business, and empowers consumers.
