Benise Balaoing

Filipino-made products from DOST-assisted MSMEs will soon be available to buy or add-to-cart on e-commerce giant Lazada. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) inked a deal with Lazada Philippines on September 24, 2025. Francis Orcio, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

DOST, Lazada seal deal to boost market reach of Pinoy MSMEs

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has joined forces with e-commerce giant Lazada Philippines to help Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) expand their market reach and make them more competitive.A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on September 24, 2025, at the DOST Central Office in Bicutan, Taguig City, formalizing the partnership.The agreement covers the onboarding of DOST-assisted MSMEs to Lazada’s marketplace, providing them access to the platform’s logistics, marketing, and payment systems.The partnership also seeks to integrate DOST’s own digital marketplace, oneSTORE, while offering training to MSMEs through the e-commerce education program. The training will focus on digital marketing, supply chain management, customer engagement, and online selling--skills deemed crucial for sustaining long-term business growth.DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. described the collaboration as a turning point for the local innovation ecosystem.&quot;Lazada’s partnership with the government is patriotic at its core. Your ability to reach millions makes you a powerful ally in promoting science, technology, and innovation, which are key drivers of national progress,&quot; Solidum said.&quot;This collaboration is especially significant because MSMEs make up more than 99 percent of businesses in the Philippines and provide over 60 percent of employment,” she said.Solidum added that the Philippines has been steadily rising in the innovation index and is now the 3rd highest-ranking among lower-middle-income economies.Representing Lazada CEO Carlos Barrera, John Kenneth Estiller said the initiative is tailored to help small enterprises scale up their operations.&quot;The collaboration is designed to expand MSMEs’ market reach while improving operational capacity and competitiveness both locally and globally,” he said.The DOST stressed that the project falls under its four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability.

The DOST has joined forces with Lazada Philippines to help Filipino small businesses expand their market reach and make them more competitive.

The DOST has joined forces with Lazada Philippines to help Filipino small businesses expand their market reach and make them more competitive.