DOST-DTI tie-up to boost MSMEs

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to make the products and services offered by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) more competitive in the world market and accessible to a larger number of consumers.

“This kind of cooperation among 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,” said DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña.

One component of the tieup will enable DTI’s One Town, One Product (OTOP) project beneficiaries to enrol their local products at oneSTore.ph of DOST.

oneSTore.ph is the firstever government e-commerce platform developed by experts from DOST-II, exposing local products to markets nationwide and overseas.

The two agencies agreed to work together with the dissemination of information and knowledge on science, technology, and innovation in the country.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez believes that the cooperation between DOST and DTI would be beneficial not only to MSMEs but to local governments and its residents as well.`

“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 Lopez.