The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is in discussions with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to secure $400 million to $500 million in funding for the National Innovation Gateway program, Secretary Alfredo Pascual said at the Tatak Pinoy Act Forum.
The ambitious project aims to transform provincial Negosyo Centers into hubs for learning, innovation and creativity, particularly targeting young Filipinos.
“We will not limit these Negosyo centers to just training, lecturing and mentoring MSMEs but give them opportunities to try their hands-on innovation and creativity,” Pascual said.
The National Innovation Gateway, set to launch by 2027, will serve as a central platform connecting the regional hubs. It is envisioned as a “window to the global market,” promoting Philippine innovation and establishing Manila as a global hub for collaboration.
The Gateway will house a variety of facilities, including the Industry 4.0 Pilot Factory, the Center for AI Research, startup spaces and a one-stop 16-floor government solutions center.
The initiatives are part of the broader Tatak Pinoy strategy, aimed at enhancing the complexity and sophistication of Philippine products and services to improve the country’s position in the global value chain.
Pascual emphasized the need for diversification into more complex product categories to achieve sustained economic growth. He highlighted the Philippines’ strengths in hi-tech exports, particularly semiconductors and electronics, while acknowledging the need to expand into other areas.
Under the Tatak Pinoy strategy, the DTI is prioritizing several industry clusters with high growth potential. These include industrial manufacturing and transport in the aerospace, electric vehicles, semiconductors, batteries, and green metals industries; technology, media and telecommunications.
Also included are IT-BPM, data centers, creative industries, digital economy; health and life sciences – biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, digital health; and, modern basic needs and resilient economy – agro-industry, infrastructure, steel, textiles, chemicals and renewable energy.
Given their significant contribution to exports, semiconductors and electronics are at the top of the DTI’s priority list. Pascual said this sector alone accounts for 62 percent of Philippine exports, equivalent to $45.6 billion.
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