GOVPH

With the goal of making the products and services offered by local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) more competitive in the world market and accessible to a larger number of consumers, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have committed to work together by sharing their materials, knowledge, and facilities.

Details on the cooperation agreement between the two agencies were formally shared to members of the media during the “Innovation Partners: DTI and DOST”media briefing held recently at the 3M office in Taguig City.DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña and DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez led the said occasion. The two agencies agreed to work together along dissemination of information and knowledge on science, technology, and innovation in the country,

“This kind of cooperation among the two agencies (DOST and DTI) is quite timely, because both of us have priorities to enhance the capabilities of MSMEs in the country, particularly in the provinces,” said DOST Sec. de la Peña.

Meanwhile, DTI Secretary Lopez believes that the cooperation among DOST and DTI would provide benefits not only to the MSMEs but also to local governments and its residents.

“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 maximize 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,” said Sec. Lopez.

Among the highlights in the media briefing was the turnover ceremony ofthe S&T Nook of DOST in the Negosyo Centers of DTI. The S&T Nook is a stand-alone kiosk that containsimportant information onthe various DOST services and research and development projects.

DOST and DTI’s agreement includes DTI’sOne Town, One Product (OTOP) project beneficiaries to enrol their local products at oneSTore.ph of DOST. oneSTore.ph is the first-ever government e-commerce platform developed by experts from DOST-II. This allows local products to be sold nationwide and even outside the country. (By Allan Mauro V. Marfal, DOST-STII)