by admin | Nov 11, 2017 | Headlines, National News
Da Nang, Vietnam – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez called on the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies to focus on discussions and initiatives centered on promoting sustainable, innovative, and inclusive growth during the 29th APEC Ministerial Meeting on 8 November.
“It is our duty as ministers to reinvent the globalization model wherein progress and growth are extended to the bottom of the pyramid. This is the only way that we will be able to realize the Bogor Goals and usher APEC’s role beyond 2020,” said Sec. Lopez.
The DTI chief also highlighted the role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and its development and internationalization in pushing inclusive economic growth and development.
As the Philippines’ (PH) trade minister, Sec. Lopez also expressed the country’s support for APEC’s programs in promoting green and sustainable MSMEs through the Green Economic Development. The set of policies pushing for the creation of climate-smart and environment-friendly industries are now integrated in the manufacturing industry sector, particularly for the automotive, auto parts, pulp and paper, plastic, housing, and furniture industries.
On the e-commerce discussion, PH has submitted its intent to participate in the APEC Cross-Border Privacy Enforcement Arrangement (CPEA) and work with economies in ensuring compliance with international standards to address MSMEs’ issues on security as well as privacy in the internet and digital economy.
“PH continues its support for the MSME sector as we co-lead the development of the APEC MSME Work Programme with Malaysia. We have also shared our inputs on tariffs, investments, non-tariff measures, transparency, and capacity-building discussions,” Sec. Lopez added.
Meanwhile, in another intervention with APEC member economies, Sec. Lopez urged for the promotion of capacity-building efforts and technical collaborations that will increase the value-add of industries and MSMEs, as well as maximizing their potential in the global economy while achieving inclusive growth.
“APEC’s role in promoting sustainable, innovative, and inclusive growth can be more meaningful if we are able to influence our respective regional economic integration groupings with the principles of real inclusivity,” trade chief said.
In the same venue, the DTI chief called on member economies to address the issues on growing non-tariff barriers, which hamper market access and affect developing economies
by admin | Nov 10, 2017 | National News
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will conduct a Brand Equity Development Seminar for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on November 15-16, 2017 at Harold’s Hotel, Cebu City.
The two-day activity will be facilitated by Dr. Wilfrido Arcilla, a consultant and the country’s acclaimed Brand Development Specialist
Among the topics to be discussed include key concepts of branding and marketing, new trends and the basic principles of brand development. The rest of the activity will be allotted for the one-on-one cliniquing with MSMEs from Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
According to DTI Region 7 Director Asteria Caberte, the recent developments among ASEAN partner countries formalizing market and intellectual exchanges pose a huge opportunity for producing innovative and unique Philippine brands.
“Our MSMEs need to be sufficiently prepared and armed with competitive strengths that could define their positions in the global market”, Dir. Caberte said. She emphasized that an effective brand statement and strategy will ensure a major edge in sustaining customer interest and preference.
The two-day seminar is one of the components of the Brand Equity Development Program (BrEDP) of the DTI as it seeks to register the brands with the Intellectual Property of the Philippines, improve packaging and labelling and launch the brands for a massive promotion.
For inquiries, interested parties may call Joy Suralta ofDTI 7 Regional Office at telephone numbers (032) 2550036 -37.
“It is important that entrepreneurs are able to appreciate the concept of branding and brand equity to increase their competitiveness, and sustain business growth Dir Caberte underscored, because they contribute to jobs generation and eventually reduce poverty and increase prosperity in the country.” #
by admin | Nov 8, 2017 | Business, National News
The maiden participation of seven (7) Filipino micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at the 23rd edition of the Salon du Chocolat in Paris, considered the biggest chocolate exhibition in the world, was capped by the selection of Puentespina Farms as one of the Top 50 producers of cacao beans around the world by the International Cocoa Awards last October 30 in Paris, France.
The recognition given to Puentespina Farms is a first for the Philippines in a competition that brought in 166 entries from 40 cacao producing countries. The samples were “evaluated by 41 chocolatiers and sensory evaluation experts from around the world.”
Rex and Jen Puentespina, Farmer/Chocolate Maker, and Managing Director respectively of the same company behind the Malagos brand of chocolates, represented their mother Charita Puentespina during the recognition rites held at the sidelines of the Salon du Chocolat in Paris, France.
Mr. Puentespina, who proudly waved a Philippine flag to honor their hardworking cacao farmers when called on stage said that “the recognition bestowed on our cacao beans grown in Davao, is a testament to the truly world-class quality of products grown and developed in the Philippines by Filipino cacao farmers.”
Joining the Puentespinas during the recognition rites were Philippine Cacao Industry Council Chairman Mr. Valente Turtur, representatives from the Philippine Embassy in Paris, the Department of Agriculture, and the Philippine Trade and Investment Centre in Paris.
Also present during the recognition rites were representatives from Philippine cacao companies including Auro Chocolate, Ginto Chocolates, Hiraya, Kablon Farms, NutraRich, and Theo and Philo.
Together with Malagos Chocolates, and with funding support provided by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) and Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the group showcased their products at the country’s first business-to-business booth ever set up at the Salon du Chocolat which ran in Paris from 28 October to 1 November.
According to DTI Undersecretary for Trade and Investment Promotion Group Nora Terrado, “the Philippine participation at the Salon du Chocolat is in line with the DTI’s goal of providing relevant global platforms for Filipino enterprises to have access to, and learn from the international market.”
”The business world is changing rapidly, and it is important for government, in collaboration with the private sector, to constantly identify and be part of truly global avenues where new opportunities for emerging niche sectors such as the cacao industry may be tapped or tested,” added Terrado.
Almost 120,000 attendees including traders, chocolate makers, chocolatiers and aficionados and more than 230 exhibitors flocked to Hall 5 of the Porte des Versailles for the five-day Salon du Chocolat.
The cacao industry in the Philippines currently produces around 12,000 metric tons of beans annually. It has doubled since the revival of the cacao industry in the early 2000s. The goal of the industry is to produce about 100,000 metric tons of quality beans by 2022.
Apart from merely targeting increasing production, cacao industry players are also taking an active role in helping improve its standards.
In photo: The official delegation to the Salon du Chocolat pose before the Philippine booth along with PTIC-Paris Commercial Attache Froilan Pamintuan (third from left) and Eduardo Francisco of PTIC Paris (leftmost). The delegation includes (from left to right): Harleen Jao of NutraRich; Rex Puentespina of Puentespina Farms/Malagos; Pamintuan; Philo Chua of Theo and Philo; Estela Duque of Kablon Farms; Val Turtur of the Philippine Cacao Industry Council; Regional Technical Director Marina Hermoso of the Department of Agriculture Region VII; Joy Angeli Uy of Ginto Chocolates/Bohol; Dalereich Polot of Ginto Chocolates; Laurianne Amacin, stand assistant; Mark Ocampo of Auro Chocolate; Kelly Go of Auro Chocolate; and Francisco.
by admin | Nov 7, 2017 | National News, Photo Story
SEC. LOPEZ SWAYS PHILBAKING TO AID MARAWI RESTORATION. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (leftmost) recently (23, October) met with the Philippine Baking Industry Group Inc. (Philbaking) to lead the induction ceremony of new officers in Makati. Trade Secretary Lopez urged baking industry players to take part of the restoration of the newly liberated Marawi City by exploring possible opportunities providing livelihood to the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) of Marawi. Members of the association, on the other has given positive feedback with the advocacy of the Trade Secretary, and promised to further look on possible areas of collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), helping the Maranao community rebuild again. Also in the picture (from L to R) were Philbaking President Paolo Victor Valderrama with other officers Jerry Lao, Walter Co, Gemenni Monton, Johnlu Koa and Edwin Cua, Jay Ferolino, Jon Chua and DTI Undersecretary Ms. Zenaida Cuison Maglaya
by admin | Nov 6, 2017 | Business, National News
Japan – A total of eighteen business agreements were recently signed (30 October, 2017) during the sidelines of President Rodrigo Duterte’s working visit to Japan, bagging total investments pledges of USD 6 billion (PHP 300 billion).
“The growing number of Japanese corporations, interested in partnering with Philippine enterprises, shows the value proposition of the country as a favored destination for Japanese Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs),” said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, who witnessed the exchange of business agreements with President Rodrigo Duterte.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez received Letters of Intent (LOIs) from the several Japanese companies who are keen on expanding operations in the Philippines, namely: Marubeni Corporation for power, railways and water projects; Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. for mineral processing; Taiheiyo Cement Corporation for plant and production related infrastructure expansion projects; Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. for medium-sized marine vessels manufacturing; Ministop Co. Ltd. and Lawson for HR training programs and outlet expansion in the Philippines; and Itochu Corporation for investments in agricultural equipment, bananas and pineapples production, and irrigation projects.
Japan Tobacco Inc., likewise stated its interest to further expand Philippine operation and contribute to the Department of Finance’s (DOF) improved revenue collection program.
Meanwhile, a number of companies from Japan also stated interest in pursuing joint ventures in areas earmarked as strategic to sustainable development and inclusive growth, such as agriculture, renewable energy, manufacturing, services, environment and research and development (R&D) includingTokyo Gas Co., Ltd., on joint study on natural gas usage in the Philippine domestic market with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI); Itochu Corporation with Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) on additional renewable energy projects and infrastructure projects;Hitachi Ltd. with Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) on stationary Battery Energy Storage System (BESS); Nomura Real Estate Development Co.,Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd., with Federal Land Inc., on a commercial/residential complex that will soon rise in Bonifacio Global City; Yamato Kogyo Co. Ltd., with SteelAsia Manufacturing Corporation on an integrated steel plant; Ubicom Holdings Inc., Advanced World Systems Inc., with Alsons/AWS Information Systems for a software development outsourcing, testing, and R&D project on data analytics, automation, Internet of Things (IoT), automotive software development, enterprise systems and web application, embedded systems, and mobile systems development, Hitachi Asia Ltd., Philippines with Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) in an information and communications (ICT), transportation and urban development projects; and Densan System Co. Ltd. (DSK) with CIS Bayad Center Inc. on a Technology – Business Processing Management (IT-BPM) agreement on financial technology.
“These projects, ranging from retail, commercial, and residential property development, are indubitable signposts of a growing modern economy,” Sec. Lopez said, adding that the tie-ups in these sectors are expected to generate more jobs, raise business standards, and improve business efficiency.
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) also received LOIs from List Co. Ltd. and Subic Smart Community Corporation on mixed property development projects in Subic Freeport.
“These projects committed not only capital infusions but transfer in technology and human resource (HR) development programs, cementing anew the parameters and direction of Philippine-Japan economic exchange and complementarity,” said the Trade Chief.
“Ultimately, these projects will help chart greater trade and investment engagements between our two countries in order to generate broader inclusive growth and shared prosperity for all, he concluded.
by admin | Oct 27, 2017 | Business, National News
At least 30 families who were affected by the conflict in Marawi City now seeking shelter in Iligan received aid from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to help them start a small business to sustain their needs as they wait to return to their respective homes.
As part of Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), DTI, together with other government agencies comprising the subcommittee on business and livelihood (SC-BL), will assist affected Marawi residents start small businesses and earn while fast-tracking the rehabilitation process of the war-torn city.
At least P5,000 worth of groceries were distributed per family, who are staying at evacuation centers, which they can sell in evacuation centers or nearby areas.
DTI-Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said that the livelihood starter kits will help the IDPs earn for their families.
Maglaya added that DTI will train these beneficiaries who were given aid on simple book-keeping to help sustain their businesses.
“The starter kits are more on food items. We will train and monitor them on the progress of their business. Once they return to Marawi, they are now equipped with the basics on entrepreneurship and at least expand the starterkits they received after earning some money,” Maglaya explained, adding that there will be more livelihood starter kits that will be distributed to IDPs.
A total of 40 grocery packages has now been distributed apart from the 63 sewing machines and 60 sewing kits provided to IDPs. The Department, in partnership with the Skills Mastery Institute (SMI), also trained and retrained the IDPs on garments making.
The sewing kits and sari-sari store supplies will allow IDPs to start anew and earn even while still in evacuation centers.
The provision of starter kits is in line with the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to provide livelihood to IDPs from Marawi City and other affected localities. This also follows the Administrative Order No. 03 of the President, mandating the creation of an inter-agency task force that would implement the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi City and other affected localities of which providing business and livelihood is crucial.
Member agencies of the Subcommittee on Business and Livelihood are Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
