Dr. Mina Gabor, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) trustee for the tourism sector, underscored the need to ensure minimal negative impact on the environment as they expand exports of design-driven products and services.
“Because of evolving market requirements, the process continues to get complicated and tough, including using renewable materials, minimizing wastes and reducing our carbon footprint and energy consumption,” she said during the recent PHILEXPORT General Membership Meeting.
Gabor said sustainability and innovation can be incorporated particularly into product design.
“So many tools are available now to make this happen –digitalization, artificial intelligence, laboratories, government and private sector programs and services– to create sustainable products and services that benefit our people, our planet and profitability,” she said.
“Design sustainability is not merely a password. It is a call to action, it requires us to rethink our entire approach to design –from conception to production and from usage to disposal. Each of us has critical roles to play in this pursuit,” she added.
As they design and develop products and services, Gabor cited two important developments happening worldwide today, including the aging population in many countries and women as economic opportunities.
“The concern for more aging population because of new medical discoveries, they live longer and they have the money to travel and to buy goods,” she said.
"There are 10.2 million women worldwide, 20 percent of them are working wives but they earn more than their husbands. Sixty five percent of car buying decisions are made by women... Products that are decisively influenced by women –home furnishings, 94 percent; holidays, 92 percent; homes, 91 percent. What are we designing and developing for them today?,” she added.
Source: PHILEXPORT News and Features
November 27, 2024
