DTI, UP drawing up roadmap for gifts, decors, houseware

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the University of the Philippines Institute for SmallScale Industries (UP-ISSI) are crafting a roadmap for the gifts, decors and houseware industry targeted for release by August.

In a statement, the DTI said it signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to formulate the roadmap which would contain strategies to promote the growth of the gifts, decors and houseware industry.

“DTI and UP-ISSI target to complete the roadmap by Aug. 15, 2015,” the department said.

To determine the state of the sector as well as plans and programs to support its growth, the UP-ISSI conducted a workshop attended by around 40 stakeholders earlier this week.

The event was also attended by officials from the DTI including Trade assistant secretary Rafaelita Aldaba, Trade Assistant Secretary Blesila Lantayona, and Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa, supervising director of the Board of Investments Industry Development Service.

In 2012, the DTI launched the industry road-map initiative which involves working with the private sector to set targets and identify strategies for the short, medium and long term, to promote the growth of specific industries.

The roadmaps serve as the building blocks for the country’s manufacturing industry roadmap and the Comprehensive National Industrial Strategy or the country’s blueprint for overall industrial development. The initiative was launched to push for the resurgence of the manufacturing sector which could create jobs and support the government’s goal of achieving inclusive growth.

As the government wants to sustain its strong economic performance and make it more inclusive, the industry roadmap initiative has become more important now.

Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said earlier it is important for the government and private sector to continue to work together to update roadmaps and ensure the strategies remain relevant.

At present, a total of 27 industry roadmaps are being implemented; 22 more are expected to be completed within the year. – Louella

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