by admin | Jul 26, 2018 | Headlines
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has forfeited the surety bonds of some importers for violations of government rules, regulations, and standards that affect consumer safety.
Violations committed by importers are mostly on selling of cement without any Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) or Statement of Confirmation (SOC). The SOC is proof that the cement passed quality testing. It is a DTI rule that cement retailers should possess the SOCs of the cement they are selling.
With the influx of cement entering 25 out ports of the country coming from Vietnam, China, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, and even from Pakistan, the DTI forfeited the surety bonds of some violating cement importers, as provided under Department Administrative Order (DAO) No 17-06, Series of 2017.
The DTI underscores that rules are formulated and enforced to ensure consumer welfare and protection. For cement, its quality should comply with standards set under Philippine National Standards (PNS) 07:2005 and PNS 63:2006 to ensure that structures built using cement will remain durable and not collapse, and prevent the loss of lives and danger to consumer safety.
The DTI advices cement buyers to ask for the SOC of retailers when purchasing said product to ensure that these are compliant with the rules and standards set by the Department. The SOC shows the brand, importer, manufacturer, date of manufacture, and batch number, among others, which are likewise imprinted on the cement bags that are being sold in the market.
by admin | Jul 24, 2018 | Headlines
The Department of Trade and Industry, the temporary Secretariat of the Anti Red Tape Authority (ARTA), is partnering with the startup community in implementing Project One— One form, One number, One portal for business registration.
Banking on the millennial start-up revolution, the government will begin its collaboration with start-ups in developing a content-rich portal that will make available important LGU information to investors, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as well as potential entrepreneurs.
The ASEAN Task Force on Starting a Business has identified the lack of information on government registration process and the lack of understanding on the benefits of registration as constraints that need to be addressed to encourage the registration of micro, informal, and family enterprises.
In 2017, the New Zealand Government conducted a scoping mission in the Philippines and observed the absence of available information about the business registration procedures in LGUs, which resulted to repeated visits in government offices and delayed completion of process due to incomplete submission of requirements, since businesses are not fully aware of the documentary requirements and the process. An online portal is seen to solve this constraint.
Project One, the first project of the newly created Anti Red Tape Authority— will use the Design Sprint in creating a prototype of the online portal for LGU business registration processes. Created by Google Ventures, Design Sprint is extensively used in the private sector by the world’s most innovative companies. Over the last few years Design Sprint is increasingly used in the public sector due to their high levels of productivity, efficiency, and customer orientation. Creative HQ of New Zealand is the facilitator of the Design Sprint for the Anti Red Tape Authority.
Prior to the Design Sprint, a Boot Camp was organized to select the seven members that will form part of the core team. The participants were selected from the startup community, with proven experience in business innovation and information and communication technology (ICT).
“This is the first time the Philippine government will deploy Design Sprint to solve business registration problems in an innovative manner. We have high hopes that this is a good start after the law on ease of doing business has been enacted. We expect that with the successful creation of a prototype, we will be able to address the lack of information which has been identified as a major bottleneck for investors and MSMEs. We hope to transform how government works with the use of technology (govtech)”, said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.
The first Design Sprint on the online portal for LGU registration processes is scheduled on July 23-27. The next Design Sprint will create the framework for one Philippine Business Number (PHBN), and the third and last Design Sprint will develop an end-to-end registration process.
by admin | Jul 14, 2018 | Headlines, Photo Story
The Department of Trade and Industry through its Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Berlin presented to more than 100 German company representatives the Philippine investment climate and business opportunities, as well as competitive investment incentives offered to German companies at the recent ASEAN Investment Forum on 10 July 2018 held at the Ernst & Young- Düsseldorf Auditorium in Germany. The ASEAN Investment Forum 2018 is a joint project of the investment promotion agencies of the Philippines (DTI Berlin), Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore, in collaboration with the German Asia-Pacific Business Association, Ernst & Young Düsseldorf and IHK Düsseldorf. The keynote address was given by Dr. Andreas Stoffers of SDI München, who emphasized ASEAN as a thriving economic zone. The event also featured a lecture by Mr. Eduard Herda of EY on operating business models in Southeast Asia, and testimonials from German companies present in the region. For the Philippines, Mr. Dirk Sohns, Head of Asset Management of STEAG GmbH talked about their presence and experience in doing business in the Philippines. Meanwhile, PTIC-Berlin Commercial Counsellor Althea Antonio (in photo, standing) served as the official representative and presenter for DTI. In 2017, Germany ranked as the Philippines’ 11th trading partner (out of 223), 7th export market (out of 216) and 12th import supplier (out of 198). For 2018, Germany remains in the top ten markets of Philippine merchandise goods. On the investments front, Germany ranked third as top source of Investment Promotion Agency (IPA)-approved investment from 2011-2017 in the European Union, following the Netherlands and United Kingdom. In 2017, it ranked as the 12th investment source, with $29.19 million worth of IPA-approved investments.
by admin | Jul 12, 2018 | DTI Updates, Headlines
From L to R: DTI Undersecretary Zenaida C. Maglaya, DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, IPOPHIL Deputy Director General Teodoro C. Pascua, and Bureau of Trademarks Director Leny B. Raz during the signing of the extension of the Juana Make a Mark program.
Pampanga – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Intellectual Property of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is extending its Juana Make a Mark program that waives trademark application fees to 1,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Through the program, MSMEs can save up to Php 3,000 from waived basic filing, color claims, and first publication fees.
“Juana Make a Mark is part of our strategy to help the MSMEs be part of the local supply chain and eventually venture out to the global market,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.
During the MSME Summit last July 10 in Clark, Pampanga, DTI and IPOPHL signed an extension to their original Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that expired last February 14. The program’s effectivity is extended to February 14, 2019, or until all applications have been availed.
In a press statement, IPOPHL Director Josephine R. Santiago said that “the success of the first round of the program shows MSMEs are realizing the significance of trademarks, and give them an edge in marketing their products.”
To qualify for the program, MSMEs must be:
- Engaged in business activities considered as priority sectors by DTI and IPOPHL
- Located in areas prone to natural disaster or facing social and economic challenges
- Have business names registered by DTI
- Have at most two (2) unregistered marks used on goods and services
- Have no more than five (5) employees
- Engaged in business for at least one (1) year or with limited financial capability or other similar conditions indicating inadequate financial capacity
The said priority sectors are as follows:
- Agri-business: food and resource-based processing
- Aerospace parts
- Automotive and auto spare parts
- Chemicals
- Electronic manufacturing and semi-conductor manufacturing services
- Construction
- Design-oriented furniture and garments
- Shipbuilding (RORO, small or medium-sized vessels)
- IT and Business Process Management
- Tool and Die
- Tourism
- Transport and Logistics
To apply, MSMEs must:
by admin | Jul 12, 2018 | Headlines, Photo Story
DTI assists Pinoy cargo companies in UAE. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Dubai brought together freight forwarding companies in an organizational meeting to discuss the proposed creation of an association under the umbrella of the Philippine Business Council. These freight forwarders service Filipinos frequently shipping balikbayan boxes. Led by Commercial Attaché Eric C. Elnar (first row; seated left), the group discussed common concerns that affect businesses as well as the services provided to customers. Commercial Attaché Elnar encouraged the group to formalize the creation of the association and work together in coming up with solutions that will prove beneficial both for the cargo companies and its clients. It includes self-regulation on and standardization of rates, box sizes and weights, and promotional offers, among others. Commercial Attaché Elnar noted that the DTI’s Philippine Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau regularly releases a list of accredited Philippines cargo companies with UAE counterparts to serve as guidance to the shipping public. However, the DTI does not have regulation, monitoring and enforcement authority over companies registered and operating in the UAE. The proposed association’s membership and accreditation is expected to further protect the public against illegal operators. Each day, an estimated 10,000 balikbayan boxes are sent by Overseas Filipino Workers from UAE to the Philippines.
by admin | Jul 11, 2018 | Headlines
Empowering and enabling small businesses are a priority of the administration’s economic development agenda since President Rodrigo Roa Duterte assumed office in 2016.
In support of the President’s commitment to the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country, the MSME Development Council (MSMEDC), through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as MSMEDC Chair, is staging once again the National MSME Summit 2018 on 10 July 2018 at the ASEAN Convention Center located at the Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.
“This Summit will be a venue for our MSMEs, the backbone of the Philippine economy, to become more innovative and competitive in their businesses. With the continued support from both government and private sectors, we are enabling MSMEs and generating inclusive growth,” DTI Secretary and MSME Development Council Chair Ramon M. Lopez said.
With the theme “Accelerating 7Ms for Competitive MSMEs,” the Summit will present various opportunities and initiatives in gearing up for MSME competitiveness under the 7Ms framework which was introduced and supported by the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) on 14 July 2017, in line with the country’s hosting of ASEAN.
The 2017 ASEAN Summit has issued the Manila Call to Action (MCA) for MSME Development, carrying a more MSME-centric perspective with its 7-point framework aligned to the following elements of an entrepreneur’s journey, known as the 7Ms – Mindset Change, Mastery, Mentoring, Money, Machine, Market Access, and Models of Business.
Through 7Ms, MSMEs shall be assisted to develop a positive Mindset, to gain Mastery of their business, to provide quality business Mentorship, to facilitate access to Money, to improve access to domestic and international Markets, to provide quality Machines, and to be exposed to innovative Models of business.
“The MSMED Council, with DTI as its Chair, is focused on cultivating a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit among Filipinos. We are enabling our MSMEs to be innovative in their products and services to be able to compete in the local and global markets,” Secretary Lopez added.
President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to grace the Summit as a show of his administration’s continuing support to MSMEs.
Prominent industry leaders, youth, women entrepreneurs, and trailblazers are attending and speaking during the summit, sharing their expertise and even networking with entrepreneurs.
The Summit intends to gather 800 participants that consist of entrepreneurs, academe, enablers, business experts and other stakeholders nationwide. The attendees will gain fresh insights and inspiration from resource persons who are experts in their respective fields.#
