by admin | Dec 6, 2017 | Business, Headlines
MAKATI – The Philippines (PH) continues to receive business intentions and expansion projects from large companies based in China (CN).
In a recent meeting between Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez and Handi Group President Hanling Wu, they discussed possibility of investments of the company in a petroleum refining and petrochemical manufacturing facility in the country.
“We welcome business intentions to strengthen our petrochemical industry, which the government actively supports. They expressed strong confidence on the business environment stability during the Duterte administration,” said Sec. Lopez.
Handi Group is one of the largest and advanced private specialty oil producers in China. The conglomerate is based in Hainan Province and engages in multiple industries, including oil refinery, chemical industry, trading, investment, and financing.
The group, through its subsidiaries Hainan Handi Sunshine Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (HDS), Hainan Handi Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (HDP), Handi Lubricant Technology (China) Co., Ltd., Handi Sunshine Trading Co., Ltd., and Handi Investment, has established a full scale and long-term strategic cooperation with large international energy companies such as ExxonMobil, Total, Chevron, and BASF.
Sec. Lopez opened the discussion of putting up a facility in Mindanao, which will be suitable for the company’s power, land, and accessibility requirements.
Mr. Wu conveyed the need of Handi Group for a pool of technical staff, specifically engineers, from PH and the availability of talents in Mindanao.
“There are a lot of universities in Mindanao that produce quality graduates and professionals in the field of engineering. We have good universities present in all parts of PH,” the Sec Lopez said.
by admin | Dec 5, 2017 | Headlines, Photo Story
DTI, JICA COLLABORATE ON INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS PROJECTS. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez (left) and Japan International Cooperation Agency – Philippines (JICA) Chief Representative Mr. Susumo Ito (right) recently (29 November) signed Records of Discussions for the Enhancement of Industrial Competitiveness through Industrial Human Resource Development (IHRD) and Supply & Value Chains Development (SVCD). The discussion records include agreements in the implementation of projects in industrial development planning and human capacity-building in the Philippines. These projects will push for the growth and development of the manufacturing sector, complimenting the global value chain development of the Philippine automotive industry via skill trainings and through the development of the Industrial Masterplan for Central Luzon and CALABARZON. Mr. Ito said the signing of the document is timely, given the recent holding of the Philippine Manufacturing Summit. He likewise cited the benefits of these projects, with a boost of potential income growth of Filipinos by 13 to 15 percent per capita.
by admin | Dec 4, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines
The Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), in collaboration with the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) and Export Development Council (EDC), has lined up activities in celebration of the National Exporters’ Week (NEW) on 01-07 December 2017 with the theme “Innovate. Collaborate. Export!” The NEW is an annual event as stipulated under Presidential Proclamation 931, series of 1996 and House Resolution 33, declaring the first week of December as Exporters’ Week. It targets to obtain the full commitment of the government and the private sector to continuously work together to sustain and maintain export promotion and development.
The celebration starts with the opening of the NEW Bazaar at the DTI International Building, along Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City. It will run from 04 to 15 December, except on weekends. On the same day, the Philexport will hold its Regional Consultation at the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino in Ermita, Manila.
On 05 December 2017, over 700 delegates including exporters, business support organizations, policy makers, and academe will convene at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay Manila for the annual National Export Congress (NEC). This year’s NEC, the highlight of the NEW celebration, aims to promote a business environment that will inspire exporters to do more innovation and collaboration to reinforce their entrepreneurial capabilities.
“With the rise of changing global economies and various technological advancements, more than ever, exporters face tremendous challenges in various fronts. Hence, the Philippine export community is aggressively gearing up to hold the NEC. The community expects to mark another milestone for Filipino exporters,” EMB Director Senen M. Perlada said.
Also part of the week-long NEW celebration is the conduct of Usapang Exports, an information session under the DTI-EMB’s Philippine Export Competitiveness Program (PECP), at St. Giles Hotel in Makati City on 06 December.
On 07 December, an informative seminar on the basics of exporting will be held at the Pinnacle Hotel in Davao City.
Earlier, DTI-EMB held the first two runs of Usapang Exports in Cebu on 21 November and in Davao on 23 November.
by admin | Dec 3, 2017 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
By JUNE S. BLANCO
THE Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has approved in principle the development of new tourism loops for Bohol.
Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District) said the TIEZA concept groups that visited Bohol last month have endorsed the Abatan River-San Vicente Ferrer pilgrimage site-Punta Cruz Watchtower loop in Maribojoc town, the Ubay Stock Farm in Ubay and all possible activities on top of rodeos that can be done there, and more exciting and titillating activities at the Danao Adventure Park in Danao.
Aumentado said the concept groups will next conduct the formal feasibility studies to determine what infrastructure and improvements are needed to ensure complete, convenient, enjoyable and memorable tourist experiences.
Based on the studies, the detailed engineering designs (DEDs) and programs of works (POWs) can then be prepared. These, in turn, will determine the cost of the projects – readying them to be proposed for funding.
The visit of the TIEZA concept groups was at the instance of Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco and Aumentado as part of the latter’s responsibilities as House Tourism vice chair.
The solon had said Bohol should offer more than the Chocolate Hills and the tarsier to keep its niche in the highly competitive tourism industry – at a reasonable price range.
The entry of more airlines to the province is a step in the right direction. Competition augurs well for each company trying to outdo each other in terms of rates and services, he said.
This should also be the case for the resorts and hotels in Alona Beach in Panglao and all other beach strips here.
To note, he warned, other provinces are starting to develop their respective beaches and are now offering river cruises as well.
“Sooner or later, beach tourism – a maturing industry in Bohol – will reach a plateau. Pairing it with just the tarsier and the Chocolate Hills might become too bland already for adventure seekers hence, the need to innovate, improve existing and add more facilities”, he explained.
by admin | Nov 27, 2017 | Headlines, Photo Story
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez together with DoubleDragon (DD) CEO Edgar “Injap” Sia (4th from R) and President Ferdinand Sia (6th from R) led (25 November 2017) the inaugural launch of 22 Go Lokal! Stores nationwide, with the ceremonial launch conducted in CityMall Imus, Cavite. CityMall is the fifth mall partner of Go Lokal! that will feature world-class products of Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in high foot traffic areas free of charge. Sec. Lopez said that with DTI’s collaboration with the private sector, MSMEs will have access to bigger value chains, which would give them the opportunity to explore bigger markets for their products. DD CEO Injap Sia, on the other hand, announced his plan to provide a space for Go Lokal! stores in over 100 CityMalls that are set to open nationwide. Go Lokal! is a design-concept store initiated by DTI showcasing innovative, high-quality Philippine products crafted, designed, and produced by the country’s MSMEs. Also at the inauguration were DTI Assistant Secretary Rosvi Gaetos (6th from L), DoubleDragon CityMalls Special Projects Head Frederico Gutierrez (2nd from R), Imus, Cavite Vice Mayor Arnel Catimbuhan (3rd from R), and other DTI officials
by admin | Nov 27, 2017 | Headlines, Photo Story
In photo: Los Angeles Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz (2nd row; 9th from left), Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) Vice Chairman Bing Sibal-Limjoco (1st row; 5th from left), PFA Executive Director Chit Estrada (2nd row; leftmost), Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC)-Los Angeles Trade Commissioner Celynne Layug (1st row; 3rd from left), and members of the Filipino community in Los Angeles.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) – Los Angeles, conducted a Franchising Seminar on 16 November 2017 with the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) and the Philippine Consulate General – Los Angeles. The event was attended by 40 participants composed of Fil-Am community, businessmen, and media.
Ms. Bing Sibal-Limjoco, Vice-Chairman of PFA and CEO of Francorp Philippines gave an overview of Philippine franchising and discussed the trends, opportunities, and advantages of franchising.
Franchising is one of the platforms for fostering the culture of entrepreneurship in the Philippines and one of the ways to support MSME policy. The PFA has seen the benefits of offering franchising as a strategy to grow one’s business and for those interested in doing business through franchising. It is notable that Philippine brands have likewise established their operations in foreign markets such as the US. Apart from prominent Philippine franchise brands, franchise startups such as Belgian Waffle have started to penetrate the US market with its first franchise store opening in San Diego, California, USA.
