Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato dela Peña highlighted research achievements of the department which can help prospective Indian businesses looking to invest in the country.

During the Phil-India Trade Consultations at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, dela Peña told delegates that the advances in technology spearheaded by the DOST in areas of agriculture, manufacturing and electronics can prove as beneficial for those interested with investing in such sectors.

He noted that the department has pioneered in research aimed at addressing the problems of various industries, such as the construction of genome centers towards halting the decrease in coconut numbers and development of efficient packaging to lessen food spoilage.

The DOST has also spent efforts in aiding industries that have significant contributions to the economy, where testing laboratories have been established in improving semiconductor and electronics manufacturing that make up more than 60% of manufactured exports.

Dela Peña admitted, however, that despite the research initiatives of the DOST, there are areas where the Philippines can learn from India.

“Of course, certain areas where we know India has advanced so much, and there are also areas where we are quite also ahead,” he said.

The manufacture of synthetic drugs and mass transport are some of the aspects where India can lend the Philippines its technical expertise and experience.

In this case, dela Peña emphasized that cooperation between the two countries is a mutually beneficial setup, where Philippine research can help Indian businesses, while Indians investing in the country can bring scientific knowledge with them.

“There are also technologies that we have developed wherein you might have certain interests, and definitely there are many technologies in India where we are interested in so we can develop that kind of collaboration through an official agreement or understanding,” he added. (PNA)