by admin | Aug 10, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines
HLTF-EI Leads from L-R: Deputy Director General Prasith Suon (Cambodia), Director General Iman Pambagyo (Indonesia), Director General Saysana Sayakone (Lao PDR), Secretary General Datuk Jayasiri Jayasena (Malaysia), HLTF-EI Chair and Permanent Secretary Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi (Brunei Darussalam), Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo (Philippines), Permanent Secretary Loh Khum Yean (Singapore), Deputy Director General Ronnarong Phoolpipat (Thailand), and Director General Luong Hoang Thai (Viet Nam). Also in attendance was AEC Deputy Secretary-General Lim Hong Hin.
Amid the backdrop of steady economic recovery, high-ranking officials from the 10 Member States of ASEAN gathered in the Philippines for the second time this year to finalize recommendations that could further bolster the region’s trade and investment flows.
The High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HTLF-EI) is composed of trade vice-ministers and serves as the visionary body for progressing the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). It convened its 32nd Meeting on 1 – 2 August 2017 in Makati City in preparation for the upcoming 49th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Meeting in September 2017. The HLTF-EI is primarily responsible for ensuring that the 10 ASEAN economies are on-track and on-time with the plans and programs intended to realize regional economic integration and achieve the vision of an AEC. The Philippines was led by DTI Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo.
Among the issues discussed for Economic Ministers’ consideration include the rapidly changing global economic environment and current technological and scientific advancements brought about by the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). The HLTF-EI underscored the need for ASEAN to be well prepared and in a position to maximize the opportunities from 4IR to foster the region’s economic growth, and promote inclusive and equitable economic development.
The HLTF-EI exchanged views on the need to strengthen ASEAN’s centrality and leadership in driving the RCEP negotiations, as well as in working towards the timely completion of the priority economic deliverables set by the Philippines for its Chairmanship of ASEAN 2017.
“As established in the AEC 2025, the region needs to be together to mitigate the changes. Regional economic integration must therefore be strengthened, with the target to narrow down the development gaps and look into raising intra-ASEAN trade and investment,” HLTF-EI Chair Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi remarked.
Latest forecasts from the International Monetary Fund and Asian Development Bank indicate that the pickup in global growth remains on track especially in developing economies, with global output projected to grow by 3.5% in 2017 and 3.6% in 2018. Strong economic outlook for ASEAN is also expected with 4.8% GDP growth in 2017 and 5.0% in 2018. The Philippines continues to lead the region with an expected GDP growth rate at 6.8% this 2017.
As global trade growth steadily rebounds from a post-crisis low in 2016, the HLTF-EI discussed the importance of improving the overall trade environment in ASEAN through better institutions and well-designed trade and regulatory policies, particularly by mainstreaming of Good Regulatory Practice (GRP) and addressing the issue of non-tariff measures (NTMs). The HLTF-EI further underscored that NTMs have different regulatory objectives, which often become too extensive and complex that they act as barriers to trade. In order to address this, enhancing transparency was thereby recommended to the Ministers, as well as compliance to ASEAN agreements on notification, effective usage of existing ASEAN tools, private sector engagement, and regional cooperation on developing clearer guidelines to identify and eliminate such trade barrier effect.
“For the Philippines, priority is in pushing for an ASEAN that is driven by inclusiveness and innovation,” PH HLTF-EI Lead DTI Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo highlighted. “Inclusive, Innovation-Led Growth,” AEC’s thematic priority for 2017, sets the tone for the Philippines’ agenda on increasing trade and investments, integrating MSMEs in the Global Value Chains (GVCs), and developing an innovation-driven economy.
The meeting also tackled updates on the Grand Celebration of ASEAN’s 50th Anniversary on 08 August, as well as other commemorative activities lined up for the remaining months of 2017 to celebrate the region’s Golden Jubilee.
The recommendations of 32nd HLTF-EI Meeting will be submitted for consideration and further discussion at the 49th Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM), which will chaired by DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, on 4 – 10 September 2017 in Manila, Philippines
by admin | Aug 9, 2017 | Tech Talk
In its fifth year, the annual Geeks on a Beach (GOAB) international tech and startup confab encourages more corporates to connect with the local startup and technology community and jumpstart their digital innovation.
Connect with PH startup community
“Our bigger goal is to bring the right minds together to connect and initiate value-centric conversations,” said Robert Cristobal, TechTalks.ph Chief Content Officer and Singapore-based Frame316.com Founder.
Cristobal explains that events like GOAB brings together corporates, technical experts (geeks), and startups, with the merging of these unique environments contributing to programs that compels institutions to adopt digital and innovative insights that increase value of their bottom line.
Innovators and startups, also called tech entrepreneurs, are also challenged to create products and services that serve today’s business and societal needs while improving enterprises and livelihoods for the future.
Under the “tech for good” mindset, GOAB also aims to highlight creative ways to address environmental concerns due to this year’s venue in Palawan.
A non-profit, independent community of business, tech, and startup enthusiasts, TechTalks.ph aims to offer valuable programs to help startups or innovation-driven enterprises to succeed and increase the number of tech professionals in the country.
GOAB is expected to draw an estimated 500 participants along with some of the biggest names of the tech, design, and startup world from across the world in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines on August 24-25, 2017.
“For corporates and traditional businesses, GOAB can mean access to as much resources as they can in terms of innovation in tech and design, an area that their existing infrastructures may have challenges acquiring,” said Cristobal.
He cites examples of those that may benefit from GOAB, including a giant transnational corporation seeking a breakthrough in virtual reality technology or a healthcare company planning to build a mobile app that makes diagnosis accessible real-time.
“Opportunities are endless if corporate decision makers would have access to designers, developers and investors. GOAB amplifies that connection, streamlines the process and humanizes the effort to collaborate,” said Cristobal.
Jumpstart digital innovation
TechTalks founder Tina Amper said this year’s GOAB will feature a special series of talks just for corporates and businesses wishing to jumpstart their digital innovation.
She said this is for businesses that want to incorporate automated processes and tools, use software to reach out to new customers and expand profits, harness the power of social media and digital marketing techniques to increase revenue and boost their branding, and partner with experienced and trusted digital experts.
Amper explained that a special track entitled “Corporate Digital Transformation” workshop that could potentially be useful in their respective industries.
Specific topics will include digital literacy for CEOs and decision makers, social media for business, finding your unique brand system (UBS), updating business models and branding in a digital world, and a corporate-startup encounter.
“Corporates should not miss this chance to get instant results and added-value at GOAB. Join us in Palawan,” said Amper.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), which has expressed interest in investing in startups will also have one of its directors, Engr. Ramon D. Escueta, grace Geeks on a Beach in Palawan as a keynote speaker. Engr. Escueta is the President of Asia-Pacific Business and Industrial System and Founder/President of APSYS Solutions Technology, Inc.
PLDT, Smart, Voyager, PayMaya, ePLDT, Smart DevNet, PLDT Enterprise, and PLDT Innolab, and Ideaspace are supporting GOAB as co-presenters while ASPACE Philippines is co-producer. GOAB is held in partnership with the City Government of Puerto Princesa, Palaweño ICT Association, and DOST-PCIEERD. The official airline partner is Philippines Airasia and the official ticketing partner is Ticketbase. The silver sponsors include Payoneer, Zalora, PouchNATION, Istorya.net, Synergy 88 Digital, Uniform Solutions, Temasys, and AtoX Solutions. The bronze sponsors are NXTLVL Academy, LabPH, Spring Valley Corporation, North Ridge Partners, Amazon Web Services, Eastern Communications, Startechup, and Gobi Partners.
The media partners are e27, Tech in Asia, Bohol News Daily by Auza.net, InnoPub Media, Geeks in Cambodia, Asian Journal Publications, Balikbayan Magazine, Mobile Ecosystem Forum, ConnectedWomen.co, QueenCityCebu.com, GMA News Online, and MyTV Channel Network. The organizational partners are the Philippine Software Industry Association, National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, UP CeBuinIT, Digital Commerce Association of the Philippines, Developers Connect, Science and Technology Advisory Council – Silicon Valley, Mynimo, Teradoor, Israel Chamber of Commerce Philippines, and the Cloud Security Alliance Philippines. GOAB is supported by Purple Cow, Orange Hub and iSkwelahan.com.
GOAB is organized by TechTalks.ph, powered by Sym.ph, branding by Happy Garaje, and pr by PRWorks. For registration or partnership information or further details, visit www.GeeksOnABeach.com, follow on Twitter/Facebook Geeks On A Beach, or contact hello@GeeksOnABeach.com.
by admin | Aug 7, 2017 | DTI Updates
The Philippine Halal Export and Development Promotion Board led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently adopted the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Republic Act 10817 or the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act of 2016 which sets the direction of the Philippine Halal sectors and takes advantage of the lucrative $3.2 trillion global Halal market.
“As the implementing rules and regulations are now in place, DTI will beef up development and promotional activities for the Philippine halal sector which will open new economic opportunities particularly in the Mindanao region,” said DTI Secretary and Philippine Halal Export Board Chairman Ramon M. Lopez.
The adopted IRR covers the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive Philippine Halal Export Industry Development and Promotion Programs that will increase export, sale, and provision of Halal products, processes, and services aside from ensuring a more competitive Philippine Halal exports through research and product development, quality assurance measures, and value-adding mechanisms.
The DTI through its Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) has set up its Halal Section that is dedicated to conducting capacity-building activities for and among concerned Halal stakeholders. It also provides necessary assistance to local Halal Certifying Bodies (CBs) about the dynamics of the new Philippine Halal law.
“DTI’s primary role is to promote the sector and ensure that Philippine manufacturers are ready to take part in the existing Halal value chain and ensure compliance to international standards,” explained DTI Export Marketing Bureau Director Senen M. Perlada.
By and large, DTI aims to make the Philippines as an active player in the regional and international markets for Halal. As a way forward, a national strategic planning for Philippine Halal 2022 will involve regional and national government agencies, Muslim religious leaders, private sector and consumers. High on its agenda is the harmonization of existing projects and programs of all relevant government agencies for Halal sector.
The Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Board is composed of the DTI as chair, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Departments of Agriculture, Health, Science and Technology, Foreign Affairs, Tourism, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), and two Muslim Filipino professionals.
The IRR is a product of consultations with various stakeholders across the country. The DTI, as lead of the Halal Export Board, spearheaded and continue to lead activities that will uphold Halal awareness.
In photo (from left to right): DTI Export Marketing Bureau Director Senen M. Perlada, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez and National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Commissioner Aisha G. Flores-Malayang during the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Republic Act 10817 or the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act of 2016.
