by admin | Dec 8, 2017 | Headlines, Photo Story
PH gains membership in Int’l Halal Accreditation Forum. Positive developments await for the Philippine Halal industry as the Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) formally signed on 6 December 2017 a full membership agreement with the International Halal Accreditation Forum (IHAF). Being a full member of the IHAF gives DTI-PAB voting rights at the General Assembly and committee meetings that could be highly beneficial to Philippine Halal industry. This membership is also seen to further Halal trade between the Philippines and other IHAF member countries. The IHAF is an independent, non-government network of accreditation entities mandated to enforce Halal standards in their respective countries and regions. Empowered by its mandate to protect the growing number of Halal consumers and to facilitate international trade, IHAF establishes a solid ground for the global industry of Halal food and non-food products. In photo is DTI Undersecretary for Trade and Investments Promotion Group Nora K. Terrado (left) with International Halal Accreditation Forum Secretary General Mohamed S. Badri (right) during a courtesy call held at the DTI International Building, Makati City on 7 December 2017.
by admin | Dec 8, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines
Mandaluyong – At the sidelines of the opening of Sikat Pinoy National Trade Fair on 6 December 2017, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Markprof Foundation headed by Mr. Josiah Go to create marketing tutorial videos for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
“We are bringing marketing seminars of the experts in the field of marketing and branding closer to our MSMEs. The videos will be accessible and available in all Negosyo Centers in municipalities and provinces nationwide,” said Sec. Lopez.
The 22 marketing videos to be produced by Markprof Foundation will be distributed to all 716 Negosyo Centers in the country. The videos will contain different principles as well as strategies in marketing and brand-building to help local MSMEs overcome challenges and grow their respective businesses.
The trade chief also shared that online mentoring will be available soon to make learning and mentoring more accessible to all MSMEs anytime and anywhere.
DTI, the government agency champion promoting MSMEs, takes a holistic and strategic approach in supporting the sector through its 7Ms strategy (Mindset change, Mastery, Mentoring, Money, Machine, Market access, and Models of business).
The National Trade Fair, which is ongoing until 10 December 2017, is one of the initiatives of DTI to provide market access for the products of MSMEs and features One Town, One Product (OTOP) offerings from all regions in the country. The fair also showcases the output of DTI’s Shared Service Facilities (SSF) beneficiaries including select machineries and equipment that helps in increasing the productivity and improving competitiveness of MSMEs.
With the support of the Duterte Administration in enabling and providing opportunities to MSMEs, DTI’s Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) microfinancing program has benefitted 30,000 MSME borrowers.
“We will continue to innovate and come up with more programs to help, support, and empower our MSMEs, and encourage more Filipinos to take part in our growth story,” said Sec. Lopez.
In the photo are (L to R): DTI Assistant Secretary Demphna Du-Naga, Sec. Ramon Lopez, Markprof Foundation’s Mr. Josiah Go, and Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya.
by admin | Dec 8, 2017 | Headlines
THE Department of Trade and Industry through its Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) on 5 December awarded Philippine companies for their outstanding export performance during the National Export Congress (NEC) held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
Texas Instruments, Pilipinas Kao, and Metro Wear were conferred the Hall of Famer Award for posting the highest export revenues for the past three years in their respective sectors. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in 2016 served as the basis for giving the awards to the companies.
Also recognized were top regional exporters from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, who stood out for their remarkable international success in penetrating global markets. Recipients were Peter Paul Philippines Corp. from Luzon, Profood International Corp. from Visayas, and Philbest Canning Corp. from Mindanao.
Honored for Top Sectoral Award were Texas Instruments Philippines Inc. (Electronics), Pilipinas Kao Inc. (Chemicals), Taganito HPAL Nickel Corp. (Other Mineral Products), Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Group (Machinery and Transport Equipment), Shin-Etsu Magnetics Philippines Inc. (Electronic Equipment and Other Parts), House Technology Industries PTE Ltd. (Woodcraft and Furniture), Nestle Philippines Inc. (Processed Food and Beverages), Dole Philippines (Fresh Bananas), Takata Philippines Corp. (Metal Components), Pilipinas Kyohritsu Inc. (Ignition Wiring Sets), Cargill Oil Mills Philippines Inc. (Coconut Oil), and Metro Wear Inc. (Articles of Apparel and Clothing Accessories).
Excellence Awards for Services Exports was also conferred on companies which have contributed significantly to their respective industries and exhibited excellence in their respective fields. Awardees were Advanced World Solution Inc. (IT-BPM), Affinity Express Philippines Inc. (Creative Services), Airworks Aviation Academy (Education Services), ExlService Philippines Inc. (Health Information Management), and Potato Corner (Franchising Services).
The awarding served as the highlight of the week-long celebration of National Exporters’ Week (NEW) with the theme “Innovate. Collaborate. Export!.” NEW is an annual event held during the first week of December organized jointly by the DTI’s Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), the Export Development Council (EDC), and the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PhilExport).
“With this year’s NEC, we hope to inspire more exporters to continue to innovate and collaborate with the government and private sector organizations in expanding their markets and contributing to the country’s economy,” DTI Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado said.
Also part of the celebration is the ongoing National Exporters’ Week Bazaar, a retail selling event of Philippine products from the country’s direct and indirect manufacturers, which started on December 4. About 20 exhibitors are participating by selling their products and services ranging from fashion accessories to food products in the DTI International Building along Gil J. Puyat Ave. in Makati City.
Hall of Famer awardees Texas Instruments (3rd from left) and Pilipinas Kao (3rd from right) with (from LR): DTI Export Marketing Bureau Director Senen M. Perlada, Former President Joseph Estrada, DTI Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado and PHILEXPORT President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr.
by admin | Dec 7, 2017 | Business, DTI Updates, Headlines
MAKATI – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) successfully conducted the Manufacturing Summit 2017 on 29 November 2017 at Fairmont Makati, bringing together more than 250 stakeholders from the private sector, industry associations, business chambers and stakeholders from the government and academic and research community.
Taking off from the 2016 Manufacturing Summit, which focused on “Trabaho at Negosyo” for inclusive growth, this year’s Summit highlighted the remarkable performance of the manufacturing industry, the accomplishment of DTI’s Manufacturing Resurgence Program, and the country’s new industrial policy dubbed as Inclusive Innovation Industrial Strategy (i3S).
The i3S aims to grow and develop globally competitive and innovative industries with innovation at the front and center of industrial policies and programs supported by pillars consisting of building new industries, clusters, and agglomeration. These will also ensure Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) growth and development, human resource development, and improving ease of doing business and the business environment.
“With intense competition due to rising globalization, regional economic integration, and disruptive technologies, innovation is crucial for the inclusive and sustainable growth of the economy, particularly manufacturing,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.
“Our vision is for the Philippines to have creative and connected communities of different stakeholders like innovators, start-ups, SMEs, and large enterprises that will collaborate to produce new products and services,” Sec. Lopez said.
Moving forward, the Trade Chief indicated that DTI will focus on three major strategic actions: establish i3 zones or parks without walls, where universities and industrial hubs could work together and collaborate on innovation initiatives; using fiscal and non-fiscal support to promote local manufacturing of key products that are heavily imported like pharmaceutical products or medical devices; and continue the collaboration with industry, academe, other government agencies and stakeholders in building the inclusive innovation ecosystem.
To encourage more investments and change in mindset, i3S would provide incentives on R&D and innovation, as well as tax deductions on trainings and workers’ skills upgrading. There will also be business matching, exhibits, and trade fairs.
Sec. Lopez shared that the establishment of domestic ecozones is vital in building industry clusters that can provide a fertile environment for innovation and inter-firm cooperation leading to competitiveness improvements. Incentives to be provided in domestic ecozones will be rationalized, with applicable domestic taxes like value added and excise will be paid by locators just like other companies located outside domestic ecozones.
“DTI will continue to fine tune the i3S, refine it to fully embed and integrate innovation, and ensure that new technologies can be applied to reduce poverty and promote shared prosperity for all,” Sec. Lopez declared.
by admin | Dec 7, 2017 | Headlines, National News
6 December 2017 – ABAC (APEC Business Advisory Council) Philippines renewed its commitment towards achieving inclusive growth in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in the Philippines.
This move came as ABAC, in their annual Report to Leaders, called on APEC Leaders to further liberalize trade in goods and services as well as investment flows. Business representatives in the region recommended to their government leaders to tackle structural reforms and non-tariff barriers, encourage cross-border investment and to make the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific a reality.
In a statement released at the conclusion of the fourth ABAC meeting in Da Nang, Viet Nam last November, ABAC 2017 Chair Mr. Hoang Van Dung further stressed, “Across the region, we need solid digital infrastructure, skills that empower our workforce for the jobs of the future, and a regulatory environment that enables the movement of data and information across borders while also safeguarding privacy and security appropriately.”
Meanwhile, APEC Leaders, in their Da Nang Declaration, committed to take bolder and sustained collective actions to promote sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth, deepen regional economic integration, realize the full potential of the business sector, particularly the MSMEs, and enhance food security and sustainable agriculture.
Moving forward with ABAC’s recommendations and APEC’s priorities, the Philippine team, with guidance from Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez has identified four areas of focus going to 2018. ABAC Philippines will work with concerned government agencies and other stakeholders to implement work streams on: (1) addressing non-tariff barriers, (2) facilitating the mobility of skilled workers and promoting quality workforces, (3) enhancing MSME global presence with emphasis on digital economy and e-commerce, and (4) expanding financing availability and accessibility for MSMEs.
“These four themes will be the common priorities of both APEC and ABAC Philippines as we believe that unlocking the potential of our MSMEs and our people – creating equal opportunities and strengthening their capacities – is key to achieving inclusive, sustained and quality growth in the Philippines,” said ABAC Philippines chair Tomas Alcantara.
APEC Philippines, through the Department of Trade and Industry, is continuing its work on developing a cross-border business-to-business (B2B) digital platform that will showcase products, sellers and service providers in the region. Called the APEC MSME Marketplace, the online portal was formally launched during the SME Ministerial Meeting last September in Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam. According to Secretary Ramon Lopez, “DTI is full steam ahead in improving the functionalities of the APEC MSME Marketplace, as well as the development and capacity-building programs for Philippine MSMEs as we aim to mainstream them into the global economy.”
Prior to the ASEAN Summit in Manila, ABAC Philippines attended the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and related meetings, particularly the fourth ABAC meeting, the annual APEC CEO Summit, and ABAC Dialogue with APEC Leaders, held this November in Da Nang, Viet Nam. The week-long event is the culmination of the discussions and presentations of the various APEC and ABAC programs and initiatives carried out for the year under Viet Nam’s leadership.
by admin | Dec 7, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines
Micro entrepreneurs throughout the country will get more aid to fund their businesses as the National Government, through the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.), the micro-financing arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), will set aside P1 billion for year 2018 to continue the flagship program that will provide micro enterprises an alternative source of financing that is easy to access and made available at a reasonable cost.
“The President has vowed to provide affordable micro-loans for micro entrepreneurs and we are here to deliver this promise through the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3),” DTI-Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said.
The Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) program is a P1 billion financing program intended to give MSMEs better access to finance and to reduce their cost of borrowing and battle loan sharks preying on micro entrepreneurs. The fund will also give priority to the country’s 30 poorest provinces.
Initially, the P3 Program was launched in Tacloban in Leyte on January 25, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on January 27, and Alabel, Sarangani last January 30 and was launched nationwide in April, with an initial funding of P850.0 million, making available lower cost loans to Filipino micro entrepreneurs who are engaged in small business such as sari-sari stores and are vulnerable to usurious lenders in the absence of an alternative source.
Maglaya explained that through the P3, micro entrepreneurs can find relief from overly expensive borrowings and afford cost-efficient and affordable form of loan to add and expand their businesses.
“Through the P3, sectors can find relief from overly expensive borrowings as they pursue their livelihood activities,” Maglaya said.
As of November 24, 2017, a total of 16,210 micro entrepreneurs have been aided by P3 with four national micro finance institutions (MFIs) and 90 local conduits assisting in delivering the micro-loans in the countryside while 45 MFIs are in the pipeline. A total of P485.41 million has been released to partner conduits and P307.80 million released to microfinance borrowers.
Following President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to replace the “5-6” money lending system, the P3 is also seen to help stabilize supply and cost of commodities in public markets, encourage small entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, and offer employment and generate income for Filipinos.
The P1 billion fund of the P3 program from the Office of the President will be coursed through the SB Corp., which will accredit partner institutions such as non-bank MFIs, cooperatives and associations to serve as conduit for the P3 funds. With borrowers identified through these, collection of repayments will be efficient.
“We’re very grateful that this program has come into fruition, so we can help micro entrepreneurs who are at the bottom of the pyramid and create an entrepreneurial environment in the countryside that will also generate jobs for Filipinos,” Maglaya said.
The primary beneficiaries of the P3 Program are microenterprises and entrepreneurs that do not have easy access to credit. These include market vendors, agri-businessmen and members of cooperatives, and industry associations.
P3 will also make it easy for borrowers since it will only require minimal documentation requirement; easy to access with only one (1) day processing of application; low cost interest at 2.5% per month; and easy payment with collection on a weekly or daily basis, as necessary.
Under the P3 Program, a micro enterprise can borrow between P5,000 up to P100,000 depending on its business need and repayment capacity with no collateral requirement. Interest rate and service fees, all in, do not exceed 2.5% monthly, which is a huge relief from the 20% monthly rate under the 5-6 loan system
