ADDITIONAL 600,000 JOBS FOR THE IT-BPM SECTOR BY 2022. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez (5th from R) with DTI Undersecretary Nora Terrado (4th from L) discussed with the members of the Information Technology and Business Processing Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) current industry challenges and status of the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry. Despite the growing threats of Artificial Intelligence, automation, and protectionism, IBPAP remains optimistic that IT-BPM industry will remains in a stronghold, sustaining growth in employment rate of 1.2 million to 1.8 million by 2022. The industry is likewise expected to expand an average of 100,000 jobs every year with a revenue growth of 9%. In the span of five years, IBPAP forecasted that Philippines can cover 15% of the global IT-BPM industry from 12% global share. Stakeholders have high level of confidence in the Philippines, with existing locators consistently growing along the years due to the abundance of talented workforce. NCR remains to be the first choice of new investing companies, but long partners are keen on expanding off the center, extending to other regional centers in Cebu and Davao and other emerging growth centers which are friendly to investors. Also in the meeting were DTI Assistant Secretary Rafaelita Aldaba (rightmost), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director Mary Harriet Abordo (2nd from L), IBPAP CEO Rey Untal (leftmost), Board of Trustees Vice Chair Cathy Lleto (3rd from L) with other IBPAP Board Members

TRADE CHIEF PUSHES FRANCHISING INDUSTRY TO CONTINUE STRENGTHENING THE MSMEs. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez urged members of the franchising industry to be role models, inspire Filipinos to be entrepreneurs, and help the government in uplifting the lives of those at the bottom of the pyramid during Francorp’s 20th Anniversary on 24 October in Taguig. Sec. Lopez highlighted the role of franchising in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) development. “Franchising is the game changer for any business model as it allows small-scale businesses to grow and become bigger players. Apart from encouraging people to be entrepreneurs, it also provides employment opportunities to many Filipinos”, said Sec. Lopez. The trade chief together with Sen. Miguel Zubiri acknowledged the Filipino brands which have managed to expand in Asia and in other continents such as the Europe, America, and Australia. The Trade Secretary also assured franchisors and franchisees that DTI will be an industry partner for programs and advocacies strengthening the MSME sector. In the photo are (L to R) Francorp’s Managing Director Manuel Siggaoat Jr., Chief Executive Officer Alegria Sibal- Limjoco, DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez, Chairman Samie Lim, Co-founder Manuel Siggaoat, and Chief Marketing Officer Christopher Lim.

SEC. LOPEZ: ASEAN IS BEST PLATFORM TO PROMOTE INNOVATION. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez (7th from L) recently (20 October) called on startups and investors to take part in transforming ASEAN into a regional hub for innovation during his keynote speech during the Slingshot ASEAN Startup and Innovation Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). Sec. Lopez said that by linking and collaborating with other businesses and investors within the ASEAN region, local startups can scale up their operations and create more opportunities for jobs and employment. Sec. Lopez, with ASEAN NOC Director General for Operations Marciano Paynor Jr. (6th from L), DTI Undersecretary Nora Terrado (5th from L), Export Marketing Bureau Director Senen Perlada (Leftmost), Presidential Adviser Joey (4th from L) Concepcion, and YEI Advisory & Operating CEO Victoria Elenowitz (2nd from L), also led the opening ceremony of the Slingshot Startup Alley, which featured over 50 technopreneur exhibitors across the ASEAN region.

PH TO EXPLORE TRADE OPPORTUNITIES WITH CUBA. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (left) recently met (18 October) with Cuban Ambassador to the Philippines Ibete Fernandez Hernandez (right) to discuss possible cooperation between the Philippines and Cuba, exploring mutually beneficial points between two countries. As Cuba’s Universal Health Care System is globally recognized for its excellence and efficiency, Sec. Lopez discussed with the Cuban Ambassador the possible collaboration of two countries in the field of healthcare and service. Undersecretary Nora Terrado, likewise shared that the Philippines is one of the largest manufacturers of serums and syringes around the world. According to Secretary Lopez, Cuba’s strategic geographical location in Latin America could be an advantage for the Philippines to penetrate the South American market. “We are open to explore avenues of cooperation, and our companies here in the Philippines are actually keen on expanding their operations abroad,” said the trade chief. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will soon form and facilitate Joint Committee with Cuba to explore more ways of intensifying cooperation between two countries.