The Department of Science and Technology-National Capital Region (DOST-NCR) virtually launched Tuesday, Oct. 5, its Small Enterprise Upgrading Program (SETUP) e-Caravan.
Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said the DOST, through its regional offices, doubled its efforts to help MSMEs survive and recover from the effects of the pandemic.
With the tagline, “Tech Ka Muna, Na-SETUP Ka na Ba?”, the e-Caravan will feature both virtual and face-to-face SETUP-related activities via different multimedia platforms, tri-meetups, and blended S&T roadshows.
Through SETUP, de la Peña said the DOST aims to produce “SMARTER” MSMEs, which stands for Socially responsive, Market oriented, Agile, Resource efficient, Technology intensive, Environment friendly, and Resilient.
Moreover, the SETUP enabled the DOST to address the operational needs of MSMEs with a holistic approach by providing them human resource development intervention or technical trainings, advisory, access to experts, products development, among others.
“I hope that the learnings from this event will empower each MSME with technology-based solutions that will surely raised business standards, stimulate operations, improve product qualities and help each enterprise to rebuild and regain their losses due to the pandemic,” de la Peña said.
The event will run from October to December with the goal of providing the attendees with ample information about DOST’s SETUP
SETUP is one of the flagship programs of DOST. It is the agency’s nationwide strategy to encourage and assist MSMEs to adopt technological innovations to improve their operations and thus boost their productivity and competitiveness.
SETUP provides access to innovative technologies and free technical advisory for MSMEs to increase their sales and production output, streamline and improve overall company operations, upgrade the quality of products and services, conform to national and international regulatory and market standards, and widen market reach.