DOST provides technical support to Antique's small enterprises
San Jose, Antique -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) continue to provide technical support to small enterprises in the province in five priority sectors such as food processing, furniture, fashion accessories, marine and aquatic resources and horticulture.
"We give priority to Muscavado industry as a banner product for OTOP (One-Town-One Product) and furniture sector as one of the promising business venture for small enterprises in the province", said Engr. Abraham Fabila, Provincial Science and Technology Director, DOST.
"We assisted the upgrading of eight sugar mills including its equipment and other facilities as a support mechanism to attain a quality muscovado product acceptable to the international market. Three sugar mills to be upgraded is in the pipeline while project proposals for eight more mills have been prepared", said the source.
The Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP) of the DOST is a response to the economic policy of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to support the micro, small and medium enterprises. It is a nationwide strategy aimed to encourage and assist MSMEs to implement technological innovations as well as improvement in their operations.
Meanwhile, the government's 2008 proposed budget shows its optimism on the country's economic growth. It is based in the real Gross Domestic Product growth of 6.1% to 6.8% inflation rate between three to four percent and a foreign exchange forecast of 46 to 48 pesos to a dollar.
President GMA has subsequently increase the budget of DOST from P3.5 billion to P5.5 billion to increase the agencies spending on human and physical infrastructure to sustain the country's economic growth.
(PIA)