THIS MONTH'S HIGHLIGHTS

EDC Proposes 24/7 Government Operations in International 
          Airports and Sea Ports
CebuNXT 2010 Showcases Evolution of Trends in Furniture Exhibition
First Philippine Assaying Laboratory Geared for Fine Jewelry 

EDC Proposes 24/7 Government Operations in International Airports and Sea Ports

 

The Export Development Council proposes that government agencies in international airports and seaports provide 24/7 operation for Customs, Immigration and Quarantine services.

This working schedule is already being practiced by trading partners of the country due to increasing volume of traffic both in the airports and seaports. Hence, the proposed policy is necessary as the country strives to maximize the opportunities in the international market. The affected agencies' operations are covered by existing Civil Service Rules which compensate work rendered in excess of eight (8) hours or during the night shift.

The Board of Airline Representatives (BAR), Association of International Shipping Lines (AISL), Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI), and the Department of Tourism (DOT) have earlier expressed concurrence to the proposal. The Civil Service Commission is studying the proposal.

 

CebuNXT 2010 Showcases Evolution of Trends in Furniture Exhibition

 

Known as the Design Capital of Southeast Asia, the island of Cebu is the home of the best craftsmen in Asia where some of the best furniture in the world is made. These characteristics were shown at CebuNXT: The 2010 International Furniture Exhibition organized by the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation (CFIF) recently held at the Cebu Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Lahug, Cebu City.

With support from the Export Support Fund (ESF) of the Export Development Council (EDC), the 4-day event generated a total sales of US$ 1.7M and sales under negotiation of US$2.4M. Likewise, the event brought local and international buyers a sense of the past and a peek at the future as CebuNXT continues to lead its legacy on setting the furniture trends of the coming decades.

CebuNXT 2010 gave everyone a glimpse on why the world’s best high-end furniture brands rely on Cebu’s craftsmen to produce their prestigious pieces. These furniture pieces represent a broad spectrum of styles – from traditional to contemporary to practical to ingenious.

First Philippine Assaying Laboratory geared for fine jewelry

 

The Guild of Philippine Jewelers, inc. (GPJI) and the Cottage Industry Technology Center (CITC) have completed the setting up of the first Philippine Assaying and Hallmarking Laboratory, a common service facility project funded under the Export Development Council’s P280 Million Export Promotion Fund.

Said laboratory was inaugurated last 19 April 2010 at the CITC Compound in Marikina City. The inauguration was honored by the presence of distinguished guests led by. Exec. Director Senen M. Perlada, EDC; DED Emmarita Z. Mijares, EDC; Dir. Thomas Marcelo, BSP Int’l. Relations Dept.; Exec. Director Adelaida Inton, Phil. Trade Training Center.

With the establishment of an assaying and hallmarking facility, consumers will be assured that the jewelry they buy have the right purity for the given price. They will also be protected against under-carating due to irregular quality and purity of gold and silver.

For the jewelry manufacturers, it will provide strong evidence of their commitment to quality assurance, global competitiveness and customer satisfaction in terms of consistency in quality and purity of every piece of precious metal jewelry that they are producing.