THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is seeking funding support from the country’s multilateral and bilateral aid partners for some 70 identified projects that will boost the government programs outlined under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-16.

Trade Secretary Gregory L. Domingo said these projects, which were recently presented by the DTI to the different donors, fall under the Development Cooperation Framework 2011-16 that supports the objectives and strategies explained in the Chapter on Competitiveness of Industry and Services sector of the PDP.

“Under the PDP, the Industry and Services sector aims to have an improved business environment, increased productivity and efficiency and enhanced consumer welfare with the overall vision of being globally competitive and innovative, contributing to inclusive growth and employment generation,” Domingo said.

The framework contains development efforts that would require funding outside of budgetary support from the government.

Domingo said the average P2.5 billion that the DTI is drawing from the national budget is not enough to meet the agency’s objectives.

Based on Executive Order 133, the DTI is mandated to expand Philippine exports, develop industries and increase investments, develop and promote the country’s MSMEs, and ensure consumer’s welfare and protection.

With this, the DTI seeks financial assistance in five areas of cooperation: industry and sector plans, policy review and studies, promotions, marketing and advocacy, systems and infrastructure development, capacity and capability building, and financing schemes.

The Philippines is a recipient of various aid programs from international financial institutions, foreign embassies and development aid partners through the official development assistance either by cooperation, grants, loans and others.

The initiatives for collaboration with development partners, particularly with foreign donor agencies, will focus on key programs and projects of the DTI that will complement with the “thematic” priorities in the Country Assistance Strategies/Operational Plans of bilateral and multilateral partners.

From 2004 to 2010, the DTI is able to implement more than 20 programs and projects with the support of various donor agencies like International Finance Cooperation and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit.