by admin | Sep 15, 2017 | Headlines, Photo Story
ASEAN Kiosks Launching. (L-R) Gov. Edgar Chatto, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Port Management Office of Bohol Manager Engr. James Gantalao, Tubigon Mayor William Jao, Tubigon Port Manager Yolando Ponce and PIA-Bohol Manager Rey Anthony Chiu led the ribbon-cutting during the launching of the ASEAN Information Kiosks at the departure area of Tubigon Port last Sept. 14, 2017. The launching is in time for the preparation for the 34th ASEAN Maritime Transport Technical Working Group meetings in Bohol province next week. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
by admin | Sep 15, 2017 | Photo Story
AUDIO-Bohol Bisita Opisina. The members of the Association of United Development Information Officers in Bohol (AUDIO-Bohol) during their ‘Bisita Opisina’ and agency familiarization program at the Port of Tubigon on Sept. 14, 2017. The group also joined the PIA-Bohol launching of the ASEAN Information Kiosks at the departure area of Tubigon Port on the same date. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
by admin | Sep 14, 2017 | DTI Updates
Spearheading promotion efforts under the blooming economic relations with China, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary for Trade and Investments Promotion Group Nora K. Terrado led the Philippine Delegation to the 14th China-ASEAN (CAEXPO) and 14th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) held from 12 to 15 September at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center (NICEC) in Guangxi Province, China.
Comprising the Philippine contingent of over 100 participants are local export companies, Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) such as the Board of Investments (BOI), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Subic Bay Metropolitan Area (SBMA), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), and the Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA) as well as businessmen and government sector representatives aiming to promote Philippine tourism and business opportunities to the huge Chinese and Southeast Asian market.
“This is an opportune time for the Philippines to fully present its potential as an investment destination to the Chinese market. It is also a chance for Philippine exporters to meet with potential partners and buyers of their products and services and see how they can maximize the booming trend in China,” said DTI Undersecretary Terrado.
The country’s contingent in China highlighted the Philippines’ trade potential through an exhibit of products and commodities from various sectors, including home, fashion and wearables, gifts, handicraft, personal care, and food.
Moreover, the Philippine participation also gave spotlight to this year’s Philippine featured destination, the province of Aurora. Tagged as the “Province of Charm”, the Aurora provincial government led by Vice Governor Rommel Angara, presented its booming tourism industry and economic potential particularly its agriculture sector.
“High on our agenda as we send Philippine trade missions abroad is opening more opportunities for countryside development. That is why we are happy to introduce Aurora province to the Chinese and Southeast Asian market as it has tremendous potential in the tourism and agriculture sector,” explained Terrado.
Currently, Aurora’s growth is primarily driven by agriculture. The sector employs approximately half of its population with about 49,991 hectares or 15% of the provincial land area classified as cultivated farmlands. Major crops include rice, coconut, coffee, bananas, root crops, corn, citrus fruits, peanuts, and abaca. The province is also a major producer of the Philippine’s coconut distilled alcoholic drink known as “lambanog,” and “tuba” which are made from the sap of coconut tree flowers.
Terrado served as the key speaker at the China-Philippines Production Capacity and Investment Cooperation Forum co-organized by the National Development and Reform Commission of China and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, a Philippine Investment Promotion Conference was also held at the sidelines of the CAEXPO on 13 September, jointly organized by DTI Board of Investments, Center for International Trade Exhibitions and Mission (CITEM) and Philippine Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs).
The China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) is co-sponsored by Ministries/Department of Commerce or industry and trade of China and the 10 ASEAN member states and was organized by the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It is considered as the second biggest trade event in China, with a total exhibition space of about 122,000 sqm. This year’s CAEXPO had 4,600 exhibition booths with around 57,000 visitors.
CAEXPO has grown into an event of special international influence and plays an important role in promoting the China-ASEAN friendly cooperation and building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
For the 14th CAEXPO, the theme is to “Jointly Build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Promote Regional Economic Integration through Tourism,” highlighting the vast potential of tourism industry between ASEAN and China. Through this international trade fair, China eyes to connect and boost its investments in ASEAN countries and provide infrastructure networks particularly for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to participate in the global value chain.
Philippine participation at the 14th CAEXPO is in partnership with the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry and in close collaboration with The Philippine Consulate General and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Guangzhou.
The Philippine country pavilion at the 14th China-ASEAN Expo and 14th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Nanning, Guangxi, China. Leading the Philippine delegation is DTI Undersecretary for Trade and Investments Promotion Group Nora K. Terrado (5th from left) with Philippine Consulate in Guangzhou Consul General Marie Charlotte Tang (2nd from right) and Philippine Trade and Investment Center – Guangzhou Commercial Counselor John Paul Inigo.
by admin | Sep 14, 2017 | ASEAN agenda, Business, Malakanyang Updates, National News
Malaysian investors bullish in investing in PH
PASAY CITY—At the sidelines of the Philippine (PH) hosting of the 49th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting and Related Meetings on 8 September, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez convened a bilateral meeting with his Malaysian counterpart, Minister for International Trade and Industry Y.B. Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed.
The Philippines (PH) and Malaysia (MY) discussed various measures to enhance trade and investment relations including regional economic integration.
MY requested PH participation/support in its ASEAN internship program as a way to improve people-to-people interaction among college students. Under this program, interns will have the opportunity to gain experience in an ASEAN company.
PH, meanwhile, sought MY’s support in the development of the Halal industry through various capacity building initiatives, including trainings and internship. PH also followed up on the proposed cooperation in palm oil, given that this can be instrumental in developing key areas in Mindanao. MY indicated that it is working very closely with Indonesia in addressing the various issues facing the industry, including the environmental lobby in the EU and taxes.
PH requested MY to participate in the business matching activities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as part of the activities for PH chairmanship.
MY underscored the need for a united ASEAN in moving forward with Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
In parallel development, MY investors remain bullish on pouring in more significant investments in the PH given the country’s robust economy buoyed by heavy spending in infrastructure projects, expanding market with a large young population and growing middle class, and the administration’s firm resolve to further ease the cost of doing business in the country and manage the peace and order situation in Mindanao.
A proof of such confidence was the recent (6 September) launching of the Malaysia Chamber of Commerce Inc. (MCCI) in Manila. Led by Malaysian Minister for International Trade and Industry Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, MCCI serves as MY’s business network group in PH, advancing the concerns and interests of the growing MY investors in PH.
Sec. Lopez, who also serves as the Board of Investments (BOI) Chairman, is pleased with the vote of confidence of MY businessmen in PH.
“During President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Malaysia in November 2016, Malaysian business leaders expressed confidence in the many investment opportunities in the Philippines,” said Sec. Lopez, adding that these businessmen expressed interest in investing in infrastructure, mass transportation development, building of regional centers, joint ventures in agribusiness, halal-certified products, and high value post-harvest processing facilities.
“Malaysia has always seen the Philippines, particularly Mindanao, as an investment destination of choice because we are neighbors, and we share almost the same culture,” he added.
Meanwhile, MCCI President Edward Ling said that MY companies are keen on investing in PH particularly in the sectors of information technology, construction, energy, manufacturing, and retail.
“We are very encouraged by the seriousness of the administration in addressing the concerns of both the current and potential investors in doing business in the country. We will relay this to our Malaysian investors for them to pursue more investment missions in the Philippines,” he said.
MY has huge investments globally. In PH, MY investments have been on a steady growth in the recent years. Approved MY investments by all the investment promotion agencies (IPAs) reached Php219.038 billion in 2016.
In the first eight months of 2017, MY investments registered with all IPAs reached Php26.242 billion. Of these figures, total BOI-registered MY investments amounted to Php4.33 billion from 2012 up to January to August 2017.
Top MY investments in PH are in the industries of agriculture, forestry and fishing; manufacturing; power; water supply, sewerage, and waste management; construction; wholesale and retail trade; transportation and storage; information and communication; financial and insurance activities; real estate activities, and administrative and support activities.
by admin | Sep 11, 2017 | Business, DTI Updates
Manila FAME, the Philippines’ premier lifestyle and design event, is set to make waves again among international and local buyers as it returns on October 20-22 with a range of new show features and artisans in a showcase of the country’s rich cultural heritage and design ingenuity.
The 66th edition of Manila FAME will strip down to its roots to present a show built upon the intertwine of the country’s rich cultural heritage and design excellence and the promotion of Philippine products. Artisans from across the country will showcase their best products at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and the Philippine Trade and Training Center in Pasay City across the three-day event.
“For this edition of Manila FAME, we put focus on how our culture has influenced generations upon generations of Filipino artisans. Manila FAME has always stood as a canvas to which the best of Philippine lifestyle and design talents embellish their work to showcase the country’s vibrant and multi-layered cultural heritage,” said CITEM Executive Director Clayton Tugonon.
Led by Paris-based design specialist Nelson Sepulveda, New Generation Weaves pays homage to Philippine indigenous and natural materials.
No less than eight show features will be included in the upcoming show. New Generation Weaves, a staple of Manila FAME for the past three editions, will return with Paris-based design specialist Nelson Sepulveda at the helm. Sepulveda will work with more than 30 small and medium enterprises to invoke harmony and balance through Philippine craftsmanship and the beauty of natural raw materials.
GREAT Women Project 2 will also return to highlight the works of women artisans across the country. The project was launched by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) in partnership with the DTI Project Management Team and is funded by the Canadian International Development Agency.
World-renowned designer Tony Gonzalez will also have his own curated setting that will marry the strengths of each Manila FAME participant to create a versatile collection made to match a variety of material requirements, techniques, and price points. Design Commune: Patterns and Palettes will be presented in four themes: Blues and Whites, Ethnic Nomads, Green Tinted, and Natural Black and White.
“Small and medium enterprises from across our country will join us in October to showcase the best artisanal products the Philippines has to offer,” Tugonon added. “Through Manila FAME, we will work towards supporting the success of our artisans and uplifting the Philippine brand internationally.”
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The Center for International Trade expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotions arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is the proud organizer of the Manila FAME – the second longest-running trade show in the Asia-Pacific, and the only trade event in the Philippines approved by Union des Foires Internationales, a Paris-based association of trade fair organizers founded 90 years ago in Italy.
Manila FAME is a bi-annual business sourcing platform of export ready and finely crafted furniture and home furnishings, holiday gifts and décor, and fashion accessories. It showcases the best of Philippine design and craftsmanship. For more information, please visit http://www.manilafame.com/
