by admin | Sep 19, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines
More collaborative initiatives are expected from the Philippines (PH) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) as discussion on trade and investments progresses, with focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation on agriculture and manufacturing industries.
In the recent bilateral meeting between Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez and Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jyun Chong on 8 September 2017 at the sidelines of the Philippine hosting of the 49th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting and Related Meetings in Pasay City, both sides considered expanding cooperation on tropical fruits and meat products.
With the current initiatives to improve commitments under the ASEAN-Korea Trade in Goods Agreement, ROK Trade Minister Kim indicated openness to look into PH request for improved access for Philippine bananas, mangoes, and pineapples to the Korean market. Both sides also agreed to tap respective agriculture officials to expedite the ongoing accreditation process for other Philippine agricultural products namely, durian, mangosteen, avocado, and okra. Meanwhile, Sec. Lopez favorably considered market access for Korean strawberries and heat-treated pork and chicken products.
In promoting inclusive growth and strengthening the PH’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), PH and ROK initiated a feasibility study involving the Philippine Mold and Die Center. Such collaboration highlighted the potential of the mold and die industry, which is considered as the mother of manufacturing industry and a priority sector of PH development. PH expressed confidence that the implementation of said project would support the government in providing better access to expensive mold and die machineries for entrepreneurs.
ROK also expressed its support for the PH’s electric vehicle industry and its benefits to industrial development. In line with this, PH committed to provide usual incentives and highly encouraged Korean electric vehicle manufacturers to invest in the country and ride on the PH’s growth story.
ROK also expressed its hope for the conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) involving ASEAN and its key trade partners.
In the course of discussion with his Korean counterpart, Sec. Lopez mentioned PH’s intention to further liberalize the Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL) with utmost attention on foreign equity requirements and terms on public utilities.
by admin | Sep 18, 2017 | Business, DTI Updates, Headlines
More investments, jobs ahead
NEW YORK—The Philippines continues to strengthen business collaboration with investors and multinational corporations based in the United States.
Speaking to 85 business executives in the Philippine Investment Forum on 31 August, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez highlighted the sound macroeconomic fundamentals of the country, aiming a 7% to 8% increase in GDP annually and reduce poverty from 21.6% in 2015 to 14% by 2022.
The trade chief also shared the government’s focus on infrastructure development with USD 160 billion worth of projects to directly address investors’ concerns on power supply, affordable telecommunications, and efficient transport of goods and services.
At the sidelines of the Forum, Sec. Lopez with DTI Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Atty. Rowel Barba met with different associations and business executives to seek opportunities for the manufacturing industries and to continue the government’s engagement with US business stakeholders.
The trade chief had a roundtable meeting with the members American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) to discuss potential relocation and expansion of their manufacturing facilities in the Philippines. He also encouraged member companies, which include Tellas Limited (formerly Luenthai USA), Under Armour Inc., Michael Kors (USA) Inc., Ralph Lauren Corporation, Coach Inc., and the Ascena Retail Group Inc., (makers of Ann Taylor, Loft, Lane Bryant, Dressbarn, and Catherines) to take advantage of the extended duty-free treatment to imports of travel goods (including luggage, handbags, backpacks, tote bags) under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Program.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in New York noted that AAFA members and the brands they carry have increased their presence in the Philippines due to huge domestic market, rapid economic growth and expanding middle class.
Sec. Lopez also met with the officials of a research-centric organization, the US-Philippines Society, for a collaborative project to streamline the country’s revenue-generating operations, to respond to internal and external security concerns, and to mitigate the impact of global warming on vulnerable sectors.
Shearwater CFO and COO Tom Kendrot joined the series of meetings with Sec. Lopez to confirm Shearwater’s expansion through its third operation center in the Philippines, opening in 2018 in Iloilo City.
Shearwater is a US clinical solutions provider, which has clinical process outsourcing operations in Taguig City and Cebu City. Such expansion is expected to bring in USD 7 million worth of investments and increase the company’s labor footprint in the country to 3,000.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (5th from R) met with senior representatives of leading member companies of the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) in New York City on 31 August 2017 to discuss potential expansion of manufacturing facilities in the Philippines. The trade chief was joined by DTI Undersecretary Rowel Barba (4th from L), Philippine Consul General Maria Theresa Dizon-de Vega (6th from R) and Philippine Special Trade Representative to New York Nicanor Bautista (5th from L).
by admin | Sep 15, 2017 | DTI Updates, National News
The Department of Trade and Industry, in partnership with the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO), recently launched the Building Enterprises through Advisory and Mentoring Services (BEAMS) Project in General Trias, Cavite to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by enlisting assistance from volunteer mentors.
The BEAMS project is an offshoot of CESO’s conduct of training and workshop in CALABARZON region and is anchored on the Bayanihan spirit by establishing a pool of home-grown mentors and coaches in each province of the region.
DTI CALABARZON Regional Director Marilou Q. Toledo said the BEAMS program will help MSMEs in the aspects of production management, productivity improvement, financial planning and management, product development through mentoring from DTI and CESO experts.
“BEAMS mentors will provide business diagnostics and assessment of business operations of our Shared Service Facilities (SSF) cooperators and MSMEs and counsel them on production management, productivity improvement, financial planning and management, product development, among others, which will suit the needs of each SSF and MSME,” Toledo said.
Cavite is the second province in CALABARZON to kick off BEAMS this year after Quezon.
The Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Program is an equipment sharing program aiming to assist micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through sophisticated machinery, equipment, tools, systems, skills and knowledge under a shared system.
The SSF Program provides MSMEs access to better technology and more sophisticated equipment that could boost productivity and improve efficiency, as well as address the gaps and bottle necks in the global value chain being faced by MSMEs, which comprise 99.6% of locally registered businesses, generating over one million jobs a year.
The equipment-sharing program also increases capabilities of both manufacturing and agriculture-based MSMEs to enable them to develop capacity and a culture of quality.
Universities and colleges including the National College of Science and Technology-Dasmarinas, De La Salle University- Dasmarinas, and Imus Institute of Science and Technology and partner agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology, Provincial Cooperative, Livelihood, and Entrepreneurial Development Office-Cavite, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Cavite, and Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants vowed to throw its full support and commitment to the program to help MSMEs.
CESO is Canada’s economic development organization that draws on senior executives and technical experts to build the capacity in governance and economic development through the transfer of knowledge and skills by Volunteer Advisors around the world and in Canada. It is funded by the Canadian Government- Global Affairs Canada.
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 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/
by admin | Aug 30, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines
The Philippines, through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is set to send a trade mission to Jakarta and Manado on 4 to 8 September in a bid to sustain the Davao-General Santos-Bitung Roll-On, Roll-Off (RORO) operations and expand trade with Indonesia.
The DTI said it is lending support to the Davao Chamber of Commerce and the Indonesian Consulate in Davao in organizing the upcoming trade mission to Jakarta and Manado.
“Sustaining the RO-RO operations, launched in April this year by President Rodrigo Duterte and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, is high on the agenda of DTI,” Trade and Investments Promotion Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado said.
“We want to see the sustained operations of the shipping service so our local entrepreneurs, particularly our small and medium enterprises in Mindanao, could begin to reap the gains from enhanced connectivity between Mindanao and Sulawesi, and the greater BIMP-EAGA region,” Undersecretary Terrado added.
The Philippine business delegation composed of government representatives and local entrepreneurs in Davao will focus on building networks and partnerships with Indonesian companies in the areas of trading, joint venture agreements, joint production schemes, and other forms of strategic partnerships.
Among the companies that are part of the delegation are Eagle Multi Purpose Cooperative, Mindanao Agriplus Corporation, Certuso Structural Speacialists Corporation, Halal Business Council, Aleson Shipping Lines, Inc. and Fastcargo Logistics Corp.
Business-to-business (B to B) meetings and networking sessions, site visits in Bitung Port as well as market and company visits are included in the mission’s itinerary.
DTI Regional Director Belenda Ambi noted that DTI expects targeted, high-quality meetings during the B2B and networking sessions. Meanwhile, market visits aim to help the business delegation to understand the Indonesian market in terms of product offerings, pricing, packaging, and competition.
“We enjoin the full cooperation of all stakeholders of both countries to maximize the opportunities being offered by the sustained operations of the route. This is a great opportunity that has been made available to local entrepreneurs to ensure that they could participate more in international business,” Ambi said.
