DTI pushes dev’t of IT-based services
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is pushing for the development of startups engaged in providing Internetbased services to allow the country to take advantage of the opportunity in this space.
Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo told reporters the startup scene opens an opportunity for the Philippines as the use of mobile apps and other Internet-based services to solve everyday challenges is gaining momentum.
“There is a chance for everybody but (what is) important is we try to really push more toward this space as an additional leg for the Philippines,” he said.
He is hopeful the Philippines can participate in providing such services as some of the big companies in the country have already recognized the opportunity and invested in this space.
IdeaSpace Foundation, a non-profit organization which seeks to help budding technology entrepreneurs to develop groundbreaking innovations and transform such into successful businesses is supported by the following companies: First Pacific, First Pacific Leadership Academy, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., MPIC hospital group, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., Manila Electric Co., Smart Communications Inc., Digitel Mobile Philippines Inc. and its mobile brand Sun Cellular, SPI Global, ePLDT, Indofood, Philex Mining, Maynilad, MediaQuest, and TV5.
Venture capital firm Kickstart Ventures which supports startups, is a whollyowned subsidiary of Globe Telecom and is backed by SingTel and Ayala Corp.
As the Philippines is strong in the information technology – business process outsourcing sector which employs individuals in e-commerce services and software development among others, Domingo said the country also has an available talent pool for making startups successful.
In terms of coming up with Internetbased services, he said the key is to understand and address what the consumer needs.
To encourage startups in the country, he said it is important to make the public aware of opportunities available in the space.
Among the efforts being taken by the government to promote startups is the conduct of Slingshot MNL, a conference which will serve as a venue for startup companies, investment firms and representatives of the government and academe to meet and learn about how the startup model can drive the growth of economies in the Asia-Pacific region.
The two-day conference, which is an official event of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation 2015, will start today at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila.