The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) led by Undersecretary for Research and Development Leah Buendia met with officials and members of the (EU-ABC) and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) on Tuesday, 23 May 2023 at the DOST Central Office to discuss the Philippine science, technology and innovation (STI) plans, priorities and programs and opportunities to further enhance trade, investment and economic cooperation in view of the recommencement of the Philippines-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.
The EU-ABC Delegation led by Chairman Martin Hayes, and ECCP Executive Director Chris Humphrey consists of business representatives from various multinational European companies across different industries such as pharmaceuticals and healthcare, logistics and supply chain, manufacturing services, among others.
EU-ABC’s visit to DOST was part of the larger Trade and Investment Mission Trip to the Philippines in collaboration with ECCP aimed to promote increased dialogue and understanding between the European business community and the Philippine Government on both regional and national issues.
During the meeting, Undersecretary Buendia highlighted DOST’s priorities for 2023-2028 anchored on the current administration’s 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda and presented a number of initiatives of DOST on job creation, food security, water security and environmental protection, energy security, transportation, disaster and climate resilience, human resources development, smart and sustainable cities and communities, and digital transformation.
Undersecretary Buendia also emphasized that the, “Close relationship and strategic partnerships among governments, academe and research institutes, and industry players are critical in addressing various challenges in the national and regional context.”
“We hope we can collaborate with members of EU-ABC in supporting possible investments to spur regional development through science, technology and innovation,” added Undersecretary Buendia.
She also encouraged European pharmaceutical companies to look at opportunities to collaborate with DOST, particularly on DOST’s Drug Discovery and Development Program. Further, Undersecretary Buendia also explored possible cooperation with EU-ABC and its member companies on the technology commercialization initiatives of DOST, including a possible partnership on a potential internship to employment program that will support the country’s STI workforce development.
Joining Undersecretary Buendia in the meeting were DOST Undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services Maridon Sahagun; Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) Executive Director Jaime Montoya; Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) Executive Director Reynaldo Ebora; Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) Executive Director Enrico Paringit; DOST Planning and Evaluation Service Director Cezar Pedraza; Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) Director Franz de Leon; Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) Director Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) Director Marion Ivy Decena, and Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) Deputy Directors Christine Marie Montesa and Zorayda Ang.
