TAPI, World Bank eye collab to reach more communities

By Ma. Cristina Arayata

May 24, 2022, 9:49 pm

MANILA – The Technology Application and Promotions Institute (TAPI) and World Bank (WB) are currently discussing possible partnership to be able to deliver technology and innovation to more communities, an executive said Tuesday.

"The WB have inquired about how (far) the TAPI can go when it comes to offering technology support and adaptation to small communities. Their representatives explained that this is because their group's main focus is to ensure that growth is inclusive, especially for the marginalized sector" TAPI Director Marion Decena told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.

The WB also asked if TAPI has any technology that can assist or help the marginalized areas in obtaining alternative energy and enable farmers to adapt to climate change, she added.

She said new innovations may be deployed to marginalized communities.

"TAPI may deploy technologies assisted through one of its major programs that provide grants, the Invention-based Enterprise Development Program, for pilot testing for possible adoption by the marginalized sector,” she said.

TAPI may also provide assistance for technology-based training that the community economic group may benefit from.

Decena said TAPI has requested WB for an expert who can review market intelligence report prepared by TAPI for validation purposes if the said technology has a market in a specific country.

"We are also looking for experts who can train us in the preparation of market reports or provide pro-bono services. The Institute is also looking for possible market databases that can be accessed and used for the generation of such reports," she said.

Decena said WB representatives responded that while the Group is familiar for loans or financing, it is also a "knowledge bank".

"They mentioned that some countries approach the bank for knowledge (on) finance and ask for knowledge sharing. Partnerships (like) this takes time because (WB) want it to be very specific, especially in terms of theme and topic, so they can find the proper resource person for the Philippines," she said.

Decena said TAPI and its clients may benefit from existing linkages of WB in terms of knowledge sharing, but this still needs further discussion with the latter.

Specific collaboration will be discussed possibly with wider audience to include other TAPI unit and/or representative from the WB and the Department of Science and Technology, she said. (PNA)

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