Amid the global health crisis brought by the COVID-19, the Philippine Government agencies continue to support the export industry as they continue to implement their existing programs in assistance for the Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
As the current situation urged the need to double the production of medical goods such as masks, Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) and food and beverages for the frontliners, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) is continuing its implementation and support to the industries through its Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD).
DOST continues to support the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2018-2022 Strategy 1: Improve the overall climate for export development, continue to support the export industry by upgrading to SETUP 2.0 that aims to fully harness science and technology and innovation for enhanced competitiveness of MSMEs in both local and global markets.
Additionally, the Science 4 Change Program (S4CP) of the agency implements various programs for capacity building of Research and Development Institutions and Industrial Competitiveness. To create a synergistic academe-industry relationship to invigorate Philippine R&D DOST is implementing its Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippines Economy CRADLE) Program. DOST also has its Business Innovation through S&T (BIST) for Industry Program to facilitate the acquisition of strategic and relevant technologies by Filipino Companies to support R&D activities.
Moreover, Niche Centers in the Regions (NICER) for R&D serves to establish R&D Centers in the regions to promote regional development; and to Engage R&D experts to lead in strengthening the research capabilities of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Research Development Institutions (RDIs), DOST has its R&D Leadership (RDLEad) Program. For more details on the initiatives, you may visit the DOST-PCIEERD website at http://pcieerd.dost.gov.ph.
Such programs were highlighted by the DOST during the eFora on “Technology and Innovation: Crisis-proofing Businesses”, as part of the #ResilienceandRecoveryPH: An eForum Series organized by the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF).
For further details and information on the eForum series, email at communications@philexport.ph. PKC