Riding on the buzz word called innovation, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) gathers experts to impart their knowledge in empowering small and medium enterprises and startup businesses during the week-long celebration of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) this year.

The NSTW that will be held from July 17-21, 2018 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City has the theme, “Innovation for Collective Prosperity”. The science department advocates innovation as one of the driving forces for inclusive growth particularly in the countryside.

The forum on small enterprises slated on July 18-19 is titled “Regional Forum on Strategies to Enhance Innovation and Management Capacities of Startups and SMEs” and is organized by the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI), an attached agency of the DOST.

In terms of capacitating the SME sector, the DOST, since 2002, has been implementing the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program or SETUP that helps micro, small and medium enterprises to improve productivity and competitiveness by providing technical and other forms of assistance plus training. In the process, the small enterprises, mostly engaged in food processing, are able to move up the value chain with their products available in the local and international market.

The roster of resource speakers during the event includes the following: Michiko Enomoto, head of the APCTT-ESCAP (Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology- Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific); Dr. Satyabrata Sahu, coordinator of APCTT-ESCAP; Dr. Krishnan Srinivasaraghavan, coordinator of APCTT-ESCAP; and Rana Hasan, director of the Development Economics and Indicators Division of the Asian Development Bank.

DOST-TAPI, on the other hand, assists the SME sector in terms of applying for patents for inventions and guides them in securing intellectual property rights as well as in commercialization of their products.

APCTT is a United Nations Regional Institution under the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)established in 1977 in Bangalore, India that promotes transfer of technology to and from small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) the Asia-Pacific region.

For more details and information about the different exhibits, forums and activities during the National Science and Technology Week 2018, please log on to www.nstw.dost.gov.ph. (Rofoldo P. de Guzman, S&T Media Service)