A forum on “Moving Towards Quality Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) was conducted to advance the goal of quality NTMs in the country, its relevance, and issues stemming from it. It aims to provide updates on measures taken by the government arising from the results of the business survey on NTMs conducted by the International Trade Center (ITC) in 2016, collaborate with key private sector stakeholders on moving towards quality NTMs noting current industry accounts on trade facilitation. In addition, it also aims to foster knowledge and experience sharing among different government agencies that carry out NTMs and its formulation and implementation. Finally, to review the current governance and set gears for an inter-agency collaboration on NTMs. Continue reading “Quality Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) to enhance the Philippine trade environment”
DA assigns regular personnel in OSEDC
The Department of Agriculture (DA) issued Special Order No. 189, s. 2020, assigning regular personnel of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) at the One Stop Export Documentation Center (OSEDC) in Pasay City. Job Order (JO) personnel will also be retained to ensure continuity of service in BFAR-OSEDC. Continue reading “DA assigns regular personnel in OSEDC”
DTI and DA forges strong partnership to increase export of agribased products
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Agriculture (DA) show strong support to boost export of agribased products with high global demand. Secretary William Dar of the DA during the Export Development Council (EDC) meeting acknowledged that partnership between DA and DTI is significant in order to supply the demand of export market and to develop other potential crops for export.
EDC Executive Director Senen Perlada reported that DTI- Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) has identified four (4) agribased products that have high global demand namely calamansi, ube, pili and mango. He suggested to Secretary Dar that the propagation of these products be included in the DA’s programs. Mr. Ferdie Marañon, EDC representative from Mindanao also raised during the said meeting that there is a recurring problem with the production of cardava (saba) in their region citing that small farmers of cavendish have limited knowledge in growing this variety of banana.
In response, Secretary Dar emphasized that the DA is assisting small farmers by their provision of seedlings and conduct of trainings in growing and production of “saba”. He added that Php50Million was earmarked for the seedlings. Moreover, Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) is available to finance projects and activities that will help enhance the competitiveness of the agriculture sector. This fund is specifically designed for MSMEs for their capital outlay expenditure and other similar expenses. – PKC
Digital Design: innovative marketing strategies for Exporters
Exporters were encouraged by Canva Philippines to use the Canva app for graphic marketing design. Resource speakers from Canva Philippines lectured on graphic design basics and application of its design principles on how to strengthen brand style and social media presence. Canva is a free application useful to exporters in developing innovative marketing strategies to better connect with their customers locally and in the global market.
Said strategies were discussed during the recent information session on Philippine Export Competitiveness Program (PECP) held last 30 January 2020 organized by the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). PECP is a regular monthly forum organized by EMB to boost the competitiveness stance of domestic manufacturers and exports through seminars, information sessions, and activities that give them insights on productivity, innovation, and updates on export trends.
For further inquiries, you may contact Canva Philippines through email at tin@canva.com or thru mobile no. +63 9453.228296. For more updates on PECP seminars, training and info-session you may contact email thru exponet@dti.gov.ph or at telephone no. (02) 8465.3300 local 107.-MGL
Exporters to benefit from Tradeline Philippines
Tradeline Philippines is a platform beneficial to exporters for it is an integrated export information system that provides regular trade statistics reports, market and product information, supplier and buyer databases, online business matching with foreign buyers and other trade-related information through the web. Exporters are encouraged to register and update company profile thru http://businessmatching.dti.gov.ph.
Tradeline Philippines is the business intelligence platform of the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) that aims to provide timely and relevant information and assistance to existing and potential exporters to enhance their capabilities and competitiveness as suppliers of quality goods and services to global markets.
For further inquiries please call EMB-Knowledge Process Division through telephone no. 465.3300 local 105 or email at embkpd@dti.gov.ph. –MGL
Digital transformation highlighted in this year’s National Export Congress
“Driving Exports Through Digital Transformation” was this years’ theme for the annual National Export Congress which was successfully conducted last 06 December 2019 at the Philippine International Convention Center. The theme focused on technology and innovation initiatives to grow exports and promote collaboration between and among the government, industry and academe as a critical element in improving the country’s economy.
The Congress tackled timely and relevant issues on what policies can the government develop to cope up with the demand and rigors of converting the country’s international trade agenda into the digital era. It also tackled how businesses, especially the export sector, could equip themselves and properly respond to the fast-changing technological revolution that is dominating and shaping today’s global trade.
DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, in his keynote speech, revealed that the department has called for a P25 billion to P30 billion budget for the export sector over a three-year period as government moves to provide all-out support for the export sector through incentives under the Strategic Investment Priorities Plan (SIPP), implementation of standards and safeguard measures to strengthen domestic manufacturing, reduced trade barriers, and fund mobilization, including soft loans. The Trade Chief added that such a move will not only bolster the country’s economic growth but will address our trade deficit, generate more jobs and employment and income opportunities for Filipinos.
On the other hand, PHILEXPORT President, Mr. Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis, Jr, emphasized the need for the country’s MSMEs to level up their operations and improve their business processes and efficiencies as the economy moves towards emerging opportunities in the age of digitalization.
Moreover, the NEC also gave due recognition and acknowledgment to twenty-one (21) Top Filipino exporters of 2018. They were given recognition based on their track record, excellence and innovation in the delivery of goods and services. Their fortitude and determination to achieve success in producing globally competitive products has greatly contributed to the country’s export revenue.
The awards were presented and handed out by DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, PHILEXPORT President Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman, and DTI-EMB Director, Senen M. Perlada.
The NEC is the culminating event of the National Exporters Week (NEW). Every first week of December is the annual celebration of the NEW per Presidential Proclamation No. 9931, s. 1996 and House Resolution No. 33. It highlights the government and private sectors’ commitment to continuously work together to sustain export promotion and development.-GTM
2019 National Export Congress: SAVE THE DATE
The Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), Export Development Council (EDC) and the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) cordially invites all exporters, Small and Medium Enterprises, Academe, International Organizations and relevant stakeholders to save the date and participate in this year’s National Export Congress (NEC) 2019 on 06 December 2019, 8:00 -4:00 PM at the Philippine International Convention Center, CCP Complex, Pasay City, with the theme “DRIVING EXPORTS THROUGH DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION”.
The Congress will showcase how the government will address the challenges brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and how the private sector and businesses, specifically the export sector will respond to such challenges to meet their global market demands using digital tools. –GTM
Exporters continue to benefit travel tax exemption thru EO 589
The Export Development Council (EDC) in partnership with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) continuously supports Philippine Exporters by giving travel tax exemption incentives through Executive Order (EO) 589 for the past 12 years.
Said EO only exempts exporters joining international trade fairs, exhibitions, selling missions, conferences, trade negotiations, seminars and other promotion activities, from paying the travel tax amounting to Php 1,620 for economy class and Php 2,700 for business class.
Since 2007, EDC has endorsed 13,174 Travel Tax Exemptions (TTEs) applications to TIEZA which issues the exemption certificates. From the total TTEs issued 87% are for joining international trade fairs, 10% for outbound business and selling missions and 3% for other participation i.e. conferences, seminars and promotions activities.
Exporters are still encouraged to avail of this government support. The TTE application form can be downloaded at http://edc.net.ph/downloads/TTEform.pdf.
For other concerns and information on tax exemptions not covered by EO 589, you may call TIEZA at telephone numbers 249.5900 locals 641/646/643.- MGL
BSP amends regulations on Foreign Exchange transactions
BSP amends regulations on Foreign Exchange transactions
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) conducted a briefing on the amendments to its Manual of Regulations on Foreign Exchange (FX) Transactions last 06 August 2019 at the BSP Assembly Hall in Manila.
Deputy Director Jodeth Niña Yeung discussed in details the recent amendments to BSP’s Manual of FX Regulations. Highlighting that these new policy reforms made the country’s FX regulatory framework further liberalized. In fact, according to Chinn-Ito Financial Index (2016), the Philippines’ FX flow openness index remains higher compared to ASEAN neighbors: Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. Because of BSP’s facilitative and more liberalized regulations, FX transactions are now more streamlined and simplified.
The amended FX regulations include the following major reforms:
- Lifting of prior BSP approval requirement for purely private sector FX loans. Henceforth, companies need only to register.
- Replacement of a positive list to a general policy requirement for loan purposes that can be funded with proceeds of foreign currency loans. FX transactions need only be legitimate, not contrary to laws, regulations, public order, public safety, or public policy.
- Lifting of BSP registration for certain short-term private sector loans, provided these are duly reported to BSP.
- Lifting of the USD 60,000.00 Daily limit on FX sale by depository banks for the balance of peso deposit accounts of non-residents.
- Migration to electronic submission of supporting documents, from previous hard copy requirement.
- Broadened coverage of inward investment transactions from previous two (2) categories: foreign direct investments and portfolio investments, to three (3) new categories, namely: instruments issued by residents, non-residents, and other forms of investments.
- Expansion of the list of banks allowed to register investments on behalf of BSP.
- Provision of a grace period of one (1) year from effectivity of the implementing Circular to file applications for registration of investments, regardless of the date of funding.
BSP underscores that these reforms are significant leaps that will allow foreign investors, public and private entities, and overseas Filipinos to have more flexibility in managing their foreign currency transactions and investments.
However, BSP despite its continuing efforts to further liberalize FX regulations, the banks may still adopt internal policies and are expected to exercise due diligence in compliance with these amendments. –EPV
Tourism as a pillar of inclusive growth
The Department of Tourism (DOT) in collaboration with Go Negosyo and other partners like the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, Department of Foreign Affairs, Tourism Board of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry , conducted the country’s First National Tourism Summit last 02 May 2019 held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
The summit focused on how to create a more integrated tourism industry not just in the Philippines, but across the ASEAN region. The goal is to achieve sustainable island tourism that will contribute to the socio-economic growth of the region. Speakers and experts from different countries shared their insights and best practices on how to achieve this goal.
As such, the country’s tourism industry was identified as one of the pillars for greater inclusive growth. The DOT is confident that there will be around 8.2 million tourists this year; a 15% increase from last year’s 7.1. million tourists. This signals an increased demand for products and services, which can be supplied by our entrepreneurs from different sectors, thus, contributing livelihood and sustainable income for more Filipinos.
As an inclusive sector, tourism extends not just to the services provided by airlines and travel agencies, but includes other industries such as culinary, retail, transportation, logistics, medical and agriculture. As tourism booms, more and more businesses can flourish and cater to the growing needs of travelers. Indeed, a boost in tourism is a boost in our economy- more tourists, more of the much needed revenue for the economy.
Hence, all kinds of businesses, whether micro, small or medium will gain from the sector’s inclusivity, including those in far flung tourist spots in the country. More diverse products, services as well as culture will be offered from these beautiful places in and around the country. GTM