MAKATI CITY — Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual is stressing the need for local businesses to embrace innovation and pursue digitalization in developing their global competitiveness.

He added that with the entry of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (or Industry 4.0) and changing market demands, businesses will need to pursue inclusive and sustainable goals.

Pascual likewise underscored, "The DTI leverages the power of partnerships and collaborations in developing and implementing our projects and programs. The agency's partners include private sector businesses, civil society organizations, and academic institutions. The DTI also collaborates with other government agencies in pursuing its priorities."

Speaking at the Philippine Association of Realty Consultants and Specialists, Inc. National Consultants Summit at Manila Hotel last Friday, 06 October 2023, the DTI chief gave a report on the Department's key priorities in strengthening enterprises, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises at the Philippine

The PARCS Summit was held to accelerate the convergence and collaboration of development-related professions across industries and to foster more collaboration among the private and public sectors.

In his speech, the trade and industry chief positioned the the DTI's first key priority towards upgrading, upskilling, and upsizing micro, small, and medium enterprises, that is, recognizing the sector as the backbone of the economy.

Collaboration with partner agencies

Under this priority, the Department is pushing for collaboration with partner agencies, tech companies, and international organizations to promote digitalization programs for MSMEs.

Pascual emphasized that small businesses can put up an online storefront and utilize digital payment platforms.

Further, a virtual online platform can link consumers to enterprises, products, and services making services more convenient to its consumers.

The DTI chief outlined the second priority to be fostering industries that will create value-added income to the Philippine economy.

He cited the country's sizeable consumer market with a growing middle class that can strengthen potential domestic demand.

He also emphasized the need to establish a solid domestic base, especially in developing agri-based manufacturing industries, to strengthen our export market.

Likewise, Pascual underscored the Department's collaboration with the private sector mainly aimed at empowering MSMEs through the setting up of the Center for AI Research, which is aimed at strengthening industries and capacitate the workforce.

Create an industry 4.0 pilot factory

Further, the DTI will also pursue the creation of an Industry 4.0 Pilot Factory, enabling the pursuit of innovation and technological development across all industries.

In terms of ther third strategic action, Pascual highlighted the plans to boost regional development, particularly DTI's One Town, One Product Program, and partnerships with the National Academy of Science and Technology and the Philippine American Academy of Science and Engineering.

Additionally, he noted that the DTI will also work with the Department of Science and Technology and the Commission on Higher Education to reinforce state universities as knowledge hubs dedicated to performing research and development  and providing training for enterprises.

Meanwhile, to support the agriculture and fishing sectors in the regions, Pascual also recognized the need to prioritize the establishment of businesses with value-adding processing of agri and aqua products.

He cited the DTI's Three-Year Food Logistics Action Agenda, which was recently approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., that includes linking the agri-producers directly to the markets through streamlined food logistics facilitated by digital technology.

Reconfigure export sectors to industry clusters

For his final strategic priority, Pascual emphasized the Department's focus on reconfiguring Philippine export sectors into industry clusters.

He cited the country's growing manufacturing sector which will provide stable employment opportunities and higher-paying jobs to Filipinos.

In partnership with the World Bank, Secretary Pascual has identified three industry clusters that exhibit strong potential for growth and participation in the global value chain. He reported that the DTI will prioritize the reconfiguration of exports from three sectors, particularly Industrial, Manufacturing, and Transport; Technology, Media, and Telecommunication; and Health and Life Sciences.