Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) intending to expand their businesses can avail of technical assistance and consultancy services offered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

One Expert, oneexpert.gov.ph, is an interactive web-based nationwide pool of science and technology (S&T) experts intended to provide technical advice and consultancy services to Filipinos anywhere they are in the Philippines.

Database of experts are searchable by field of expertise, institution and location; while interaction with S&T experts through private messaging, wall posts, and videoconferencing through existing third party applications.

The portal comprises the country’s scientists, researchers, engineers and technical people from different agencies/institutions.

Its consultancy/technical advice includes manufacturing productivity extension (MPEX) program which improves the efficiency and profitability of MSMEs by producing better products and services; reducing operational expenses; having more productive and safer workplaces; and developing more appropriately-skilled manpower.

Admer Rey Dablio, Senior Science Research Specialist at the Standards and Testing Division of the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), cited as an example a new banana chips producer which can access ‘One Expert’.

“You want training (on) food safety or food handling. Instead of going in different agencies to look for trainor, you go your internet, hanapin mo sinong experts na pinakamalapit sa iyo (look for experts nearest you) to provide you the training,” Dablio said.

Apart from One Expert, the DOST has an initiative dubbed as oneStore which showcases various products of its assisted MSMEs.

oneStore is a digital marketing that incorporates e-commerce in the operations of MSMEs, a strategy that helps business enterprises to widen the scope of their market and increase their business opportunities.