The Department of Science and Technology – MIMAROPA, in partnership with the Provincial Science and Technology Office-Romblon (PSTO-Romblon), successfully organized a forum aimed at empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the province.
The event focused on two key areas: the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) and the digitalization of business processes.
The main objective of the forum was to encourage MSMEs to adopt advanced technologies through DOST SETUP, enhancing productivity, product quality, and the development of new products.
Through SETUP, MSMEs receive valuable assistance, including the introduction of appropriate technologies, productivity and consultancy services, workforce skill development through training, and the establishment of product standards through testing and calibration.
Additionally, the forum introduced DOST-MIMAROPA's digitalization initiatives, featuring the MSMEs Inventory Management System (MIMS) and mimaropaventures.ph 2.0. MIMS is a web-based inventory management system developed in collaboration with Romblon State University (RSU), providing MSMEs with streamlined inventory management from purchase to order processing.
On the other hand, mimaropaventures.ph serves as an online marketplace for DOST-MIMAROPA assisted products and services.
To further boost the MSMEs' marketing strategies, the Department of Information and Communication Technology in Romblon (DICT-Romblon) facilitated a session on leveraging social media platforms.
The forum also delved into the Innovation for Filipinos Working Distantly from the Philippines (iFWD PH) program, which aims to support overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families in establishing technology-based enterprises.
Participants were briefed on the program's benefits, including capacity-building sessions, product development, marketing support, and funding opportunities for equipment acquisition, packaging, testing, and consultancy.
The event saw the active participation of various stakeholders, including MSMEs, Government-owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), groups of OFWs, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) from different municipalities.
As a result of the forum, three promising projects emerged and will be evaluated for potential funding opportunities as of July 2023. The forum's success has brought new opportunities and advancements to the MSME sector in Romblon, fostering economic growth and innovation in the province.
