DTI partners with UNIDO, SECO for global-quality PPEs and medical supplies

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), officially launched the Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP) Project aimed to strengthen the quality and standards compliance capacity of the Philippines in terms of production of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical devices, and sanitation products.

During the ceremonial signing last 14 October 2022 at Makati Diamond Residences, DTI Undersecretary for Competitiveness and Innovation Group (CIG) Rafaelita Aldaba shared that the GQSP Project is seen to boost the capacity of the country’s quality infrastructure in ensuring that the said products adhere to global standards.

“By building a robust PPE and medical devices ecosystem in the Philippines, we are investing in our country’s resilience against future disruptions and shocks to our healthcare system. At the same time, this will lead to the creation of more and better jobs, especially in the manufacturing sector, which will support the country’s economic recovery efforts as we enter the post-pandemic future,” Usec. Aldaba said.

The GQSP Project is a global initiative developed to identify quality-related challenges and makes targeted interventions at every single stage of the value chain, thereby increasing compliance with international market requirements and ultimately helping countries to engage in global trade.

Through the Statement of Commitment signed together with Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines Alain Gaschen and UNIDO Country Representative Teddy Monroy, GQSP Project will ensure production of adequate, accessible, fit-for-purpose and safe PPE, medical devices, and sanitation products for the general population and health-care workers.

The initiative is also strategic in supporting DTI’s science, technology and innovation-based industrialization agenda especially in enhancing market access for these critical commodities and in promoting a culture of quality and compliance among manufacturers in the industry cluster.

“DTI identified Health and Life Sciences cluster as one of its priority industry clusters for development. Our vision is to develop strong industrial capabilities in the biotechnology sector, pharmaceuticals, PPEs, medical devices, including digital health products and services,” Usec. Aldaba added.

The GQSP Project is a product of years-long coordination of DTI with SECO and UNIDO.