CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines – Micro, small and medium-scale enterprises in the Visayas (MSMEs) are strongly urged by the Department of Science and Technology in Central Visayas (DoST-7) to improve their productivity and creativity if they are to become highly competitive in both local and foreign markets.

DoST-7 director Rene Burt Llanto said many MSMEs in the region have yet to avail themselves of DoST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (Setup), which is designed to help MSMEs in adopting innovations to improve their operations.

“Innovation is the key to sustaining one’s business today. Without this, businesses will never improve and remain stagnant,” Llanto said.

He said DoST-7 can assist about a hundred MSMEs each year, but only from 30 to 40 such firms avail of the Setup program annually.

As part of efforts to promote the program, DoST 7 launched recently a product catalogue featuring MSMEs that employed the program to help improve operations.

The 91-page product catalogue features 42 of the 82 MSMEs assisted by DoST-7 through Setup since 2002.

The agency informed that the Setup program provides manpower training, technical assistance and consultancy services. It assists MSMEs in establishing product standards and a database information system, and provides funds for technology acquisition.

The program assists MSMEs engaged in food processing, furniture, marine and aquatic resources, horticulture, metals and engineering, and handicrafts, among others.

Setup was launched by the former Arroyo administration to recognize the role of MSMEs in generating employment, earning foreign exchange and stimulating growth and development the country, particularly in rural areas.