WITH Industry 4.0 affecting trends in the business industry, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 7 is helping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) upgrade their technology to remain competitive in the market.

DOST Cebu Director Tristan Abando told SunStar Cebu that they are helping MSMEs scale up their businesses through the agency’s small enterprise technology upgrading program (Setup).

“We are providing technology upgrade assistance to companies to improve their productivity and for our MSMEs to transform from manual production to semi-mechanized and also to those who have existing equipment to upgrade to high capacity ones,” he said.

DOST Cebu entered into a memorandum of agreement with three MSMEs on June 19, 2019, Wednesday.

These are for the upgrading of the lathe machining technology for enhanced metal processing capability of Jevken’s Machine Shop in Minglanilla, Cebu; introduction of mechanical drying and spray painting technologies for process and product quality improvement of Giant Q Exports in Tayud, Liloan, Cebu; and edge banding technology upgrading for improved quality and increased productivity of the production of cabinets and furniture by Vicarte Interior Concepts in Mandaue City.

As of June 2019, DOST Cebu has provided technology upgrading assistance valued at P20 million to seven firms in Cebu.

Abando said they have an annual budget of P60 million for Central Visayas.

The Setup program provides MSMEs with equipment and technical assistance to enable them to increase sales and production, streamline and improve overall operations, upgrade the quality of products and services and conform to national and international standards of excellence.

“We are promoting technology adoption, now that we are in the Industry 4.0 and the status of our manufacturing and processing industries are still way behind,” Abando said.

For micro enterprises to avail themselves of the Setup program, Abando said their business needs to be at least one year in operation, while small and medium enterprises need to be at least three years in business operation. (JOB)