by admin | Sep 30, 2017 | DTI Updates, National News
Pasay – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez encouraged franchisers to be innovative and creative in their businesses during the 16th Business and Franchise Expo of the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI) on 29 September.
“Through innovation and creativity, we are confident to see more local franchisers expand across the country’s borders”, said Secretary Lopez.
The franchising industry accelerated by 20% in 2016 from Php16B total sales registered in 2015 and is expected to sustain the expansion in the next two years.
Meanwhile, the trade chief recognized the role of franchising as a tool in economic development and nation-building, particularly the opportunities it provides to the micro, small, and medium, enterprises (MSMEs).
Secretary Lopez further shared that apart from the increasing number of large Filipino firms expanding in ASEAN, household-based micro-enterprises have now the capacity to penetrate the ASEAN market through the programs of the government.
The trade chief highlighted that the government continues to place the MSMEs at the front and centre of trade agenda and at the forefront of regional development to enable those at the bottom of the pyramid, achieve inclusive growth and shared prosperity for all.
He also cited DTI’s efforts to empower and provide opportunities to MSMEs through its 7Ms Framework (Mindset, Mastery, Mentoring, Money, Machine, Market Access, and Models).
Among the ASEAN Member States, the Philippines currently has 1,500 franchises where 65% are Philippine brands. Moreover, there are 140,000 franchise outlets with the Philippine franchise sector generating more than a million jobs.
Secretary Lopez encouraged the members of AFFI to be entrepreneurs for others and be part of the continuing growth story of the franchising sector and Philippine economy.
“We are driven to empower local entrepreneurs and we will continue to work to meet the challenges of the market,“ Sec. Lopez said.
Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Cynthia Villar, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, and Go Negosyo Advisor Meryl Cruz were also present during the event.
by admin | Sep 29, 2017 | DTI Updates, National News
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) with assistance from Department of Trade and Industry’s Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) – Berlin recently attended the Oils + Fats 2017 event held in Munich to promote Philippine Coconut products to the European Union (EU).
According to PTIC Berlin Commercial Counsellor Althea Antonio, the visit to Germany by Philippine officials included meetings with senior executives of various organizations such as Coconut Business GmbH, Dr. Georg GmbH, and the Association of Oilseed Crushing & Oil Refining Industry in Germany (OVID).
The Philippines is the number one supplier of coconut oil to Germany according to OVID. However, Philippine exporters face hurdles such as mineral oil content and EU regulations. To this end, collaborative efforts are to be undertaken by the PCA, DTI through PTIC-Berlin, and other relevant agencies in the aspect of information-sharing.
Currently, the PCA is also looking into measures on how to increase the volume of exports through re-planting programs and consolidation of production by small coconut farmers to supply big volume orders from international buyers.
PCA officials who recently visited Germany last 11-18 September for the mission include PCA Administrator Romulo de la Rosa, Director Alan Tanjuakio, and Director Roque Quimpan.
In photo: 2nd Row from left to right – TA Van Randolf Tan, Vice Consul Alvin Malasig, Consul Catherine Torres, Minister & Consul General Donna Rodriguez, TA Malou Tana, TSO Althea Antonio, Minister & Consul Adrian Cruz, TA Ricardo Rosales. 1st Row from left to right – Director Roque Quimpan, Admin Romulo de la Rosa, Ambassador Melita Sta. Maria Thomeczek, Director Alan Tanjuakio.
by admin | Sep 27, 2017 | Headlines, National News
Brussels – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez and Special Envoy to the European Union (EU) and former Senate President Edgardo Angara urged the EU Parliament to further engage the Philippines (PH) through the expansion of the General System of Preferences plus (GSP+) in a presentation at the EU Parliament and meetings with various trade institutions and parliament ministers.
“We want to follow thru the dialogue on the expansion of the GSP+ and move to a long lasting trade concession via a Free Trade Agreement,” Secretary Lopez said.
The trade chief highlighted the good economic relationship between the PH and EU, and the need to continue the mutually beneficial trade concession. EU is the 4th largest export market of PH, with over 6 billion Euros worth of exports and 36% growth in the first two quarters of 2017.
In the meeting, Secretary Lopez and Special Envoy Angara assured the parliament and business institutions that Philippines is a strong economic partner and there will be a continuing dialogue to ensure that they get the real and more objective situation in the country.
PH is their ally in the ASEAN region and is a gateway through its FTAs with ASEAN and other Asian partners such as Japan, China, and Korea.
The special trade preference will benefit many Philippine product exporters, particularly those for processed foods such as canned tuna and sardines. This would help the farmers and fisherfolks especially in the Mindanao region. GSP+ gives zero tariff to 6,247 product lines entering the EU market.
EU ministers laud the invitation extended by the Philippines to the EU Council President Donald Dusk, who also confirmed his attendance in the forthcoming ASEAN Summit in November. This is seen as a good sign in the improving Philippines-EU relationship.
Philippine delegation also assured the EU that the Philippines continues to adhere to protecting human rights and the President’s zero tolerance for abusive enforcers. There is clear rule of law and strong democracy in the country.
The meetings highlighted also the President’s role in championing the concerns of the poor and oppressed, thus the Philippine delegation cited many programs such as on drug rehabilitation, Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development, social development, universal healthcare, free education and free irrigation.
EU appreciated the high level representation towards a closer dialogue to address ongoing concerns. Real facts and numbers are presented and views directly from the administration. Closer dialogue will strengthen further the trade and investment ties between the two economies.
by admin | Sep 27, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines
DTI Bohol Celebrates 2017 Consumer Welfare Month
The Department of Trade and Industry Bohol Provincial Office celebrates consumer month in October, in partnership with the Consumer Watch-Bohol, Inc. (CWBI) and the Bohol Youth Consumer Movement (BYCM). This year’s celebration carries the theme “Consumer Rights in the Digital Age”.
As a kick-off activity of the month-long celebration, DTI Bohol organizes a Consumer 5k Fun Run 2017 on October 1 which is simultaneous with other provinces and regions in the country. This activity aims to provide an avenue to advocate consumer rights and responsibilities while promoting health and wellness at the same time. Consumers, students, government and private employees are encouraged to join the consumer fun run, which is open for both male and female categories. Cash prizes of P 2,000.00, P 1,500.00, and P 1,000.00, will be given to the top three runners. Registration is free and the first two hundred (200) participants will be given free singlet. Official fun run registration forms are available at DTI Bohol Provincial Office.
On the other hand, the 5th Consumer Youth Summit will also be held on October 5, 2017,at JJ’s Seafood Village. The summit is open to students from the universities and colleges in Tagbilaran City. Resource speakers are invited to talk about eCommerce and Anti-phishing and anti-scam laws.
A Seminar on Product Standards Regulation and Conformance will also be held on October 13, 2017. This activity aims to update local business hardware and construction companies and establishments on the latest product standards department administrative orders and importation laws and regulations.
A culminating activity of this year’s Consumer Month celebration is the Consumer Quiz Bowl which will be held on October 25, 2017 at the ICM Activity Center. The contest is open to all secondary students from public high schools in the province. Winners shall receive cash prizes of P 2,000.00, P 1,500.00, and P 1,000.00, respectively.
For more information about the Consumer Welfare Month events and activities, please call or text us at DTI Bohol Provincial Office at our contact numbers through telephone numbers 501-8260, 412-3533, or 09173088859.
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https://www.facebook.com/DTI.BoholProvince/
by admin | Sep 25, 2017 | DTI Updates, National News
In response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration’s goal of ensuring inclusive growth, promoting micro, small and medium enterprises, and addressing income inequality, the Department of Trade and Industry CALABARZON will lead the convening of the 3rdCALABARZON Regional MSME Development Council (RMSMEDC) Conference on 28 September 2017 at the First Pacific Leadership Academy in Antipolo City, Rizal.
With the theme, “The 7Ms in ASEANizing CALABARZON MSMEs,” the conference aims to strengthen the role of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in propelling domestic and ASEAN regional economies. The seven-point strategy includes Mindset, Mastery, Mentoring, Markets, Money, Machines, and Models of Business that will equip entrepreneurs in making a difference in the market while contributing to the larger cause of sustaining the entrepreneurial revolution in ASEAN.
MSMEs are integral to the economic development and growth of the ASEAN region as they outnumber large enterprises in both quantity of establishments and share of the labor force they employ. The ASEAN MSMEs comprise the 95-99% of all business establishments, generating between 51% and 97% of employment.
DTI CALABARZON Regional Director Marilou Toledo said MSMEs play vital role in lifting the country and the ASEAN Region’s economy, thus the sector needs to be active in participating in related activities as they are as well beneficiaries of the economic opportunities that the current ASEAN integration brings.
“The Department of Trade and Industry, in partnership with the RMSMED Council, believes that the MSMEs must be active participants and beneficiaries of the economic opportunities that the current ASEAN integration brings, thus, the need to strengthen the MSMEs’ role and contribution in attaining inclusive, people-centered ASEAN,” Toledo said.
With the recent 2017 ASEAN MSME Development Summit bringing together knowledge, perspectives, and experience in growing MSMEs, the Regional MSME Development Council has agreed to localize the event and present the same to the region’s stakeholders.
The event will tackle the 7Ms for MSME development through panel discussions with responses from the government and private sector representatives in an effort to translate the aspirations into deliberate actions at the regional and local levels to help MSMEs move up in life.
