by admin | Sep 25, 2017 | DTI Updates, National News
In response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration’s goal of ensuring inclusive growth, promoting micro, small and medium enterprises, and addressing income inequality, the Department of Trade and Industry CALABARZON will lead the convening of the 3rdCALABARZON Regional MSME Development Council (RMSMEDC) Conference on 28 September 2017 at the First Pacific Leadership Academy in Antipolo City, Rizal.
With the theme, “The 7Ms in ASEANizing CALABARZON MSMEs,” the conference aims to strengthen the role of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in propelling domestic and ASEAN regional economies. The seven-point strategy includes Mindset, Mastery, Mentoring, Markets, Money, Machines, and Models of Business that will equip entrepreneurs in making a difference in the market while contributing to the larger cause of sustaining the entrepreneurial revolution in ASEAN.
MSMEs are integral to the economic development and growth of the ASEAN region as they outnumber large enterprises in both quantity of establishments and share of the labor force they employ. The ASEAN MSMEs comprise the 95-99% of all business establishments, generating between 51% and 97% of employment.
DTI CALABARZON Regional Director Marilou Toledo said MSMEs play vital role in lifting the country and the ASEAN Region’s economy, thus the sector needs to be active in participating in related activities as they are as well beneficiaries of the economic opportunities that the current ASEAN integration brings.
“The Department of Trade and Industry, in partnership with the RMSMED Council, believes that the MSMEs must be active participants and beneficiaries of the economic opportunities that the current ASEAN integration brings, thus, the need to strengthen the MSMEs’ role and contribution in attaining inclusive, people-centered ASEAN,” Toledo said.
With the recent 2017 ASEAN MSME Development Summit bringing together knowledge, perspectives, and experience in growing MSMEs, the Regional MSME Development Council has agreed to localize the event and present the same to the region’s stakeholders.
The event will tackle the 7Ms for MSME development through panel discussions with responses from the government and private sector representatives in an effort to translate the aspirations into deliberate actions at the regional and local levels to help MSMEs move up in life.
by admin | Sep 25, 2017 | Photo Story
PH ENDORSES CONTINUING ASEAN-RUSSIA GROWTH STORY. Following the June visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in Russia, the Philippines (PH) successfully concluded a trade and investment scoping mission in Russia, as well as actively participated in the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) on 6-7 September. PH promoted trade and investment opportunities to Russian importers and buyers of food products, government representatives of the Primorsky Territory, officials and members of the Primorsky Chamber of Commerce & Industry, officials of the commercial port of Vladivostok, and the Far Eastern Development Corporation. Leading the PH delegation was Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Rowel Barba (5th from R) with PH Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta (6th from L), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director-General Charito B. Plaza (5th from L), Philippine-Russian Business Assembly, Inc. (PRBA) Armi Lopez Garcia (7th from R), and Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) Administrator Raul Lambino (6th from R). Other officials were from DTI, the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Philippines-Russia Business Council (PRBC), and the Mindanao Banana Farmers & Exporters Association (MBFEA). DTI Usec. Barba also served as panel speaker during the EEF’s Russia-ASEAN Dialogue, where he underscored the latest developments and business opportunities in PH and ASEAN. He also encouraged private sector members to do business in PH given that among the ASEAN countries, PH is consistently among the fastest growing economies.
by admin | Sep 24, 2017 | Tech Talk
Startup Weekend Bohol Tourism hopes to be one of the many initiatives by local volunteers and the Bohol ICT Council.
It is a 54-hour event where participants get to enjoy and experience how to build a business or a project in just three days.
The organizers have held a couple of pre-activities before the big Startup Weekend Bohol Tourism event this coming September 29 to help introduce the idea and get them to experience a little bit of what the activity is all about – creating innovations and working on them.
Mentors and a couple of participants underwent a fire pitching game where they got to create ideas out of some random words. They got subjected to a barrage of questions to test if their ideas could stand on its own.
The event is in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Provincial Government of Bohol, and the Bohol Investment Promotion Center. It is sponsored by Uniform Solutions, PrintBit, Gwion, Sea Drake Island Cruises, and Just Sizzlin’ (we are still open for sponsorships!). The participants at the event will also be mentored by Michael de Vincent Edwards, Jerome Auza, Aimee Lim, Nelson Buena and Gina Kapirig. With them are judges Mark Phillips, Vicky Wallace, and many more startup ecosystem supporters.
Startup Weekend Bohol Tourism Edition will be on September 29-October 1, 2017 at the Bohol Bee Farm Panglao. If you’d like to register and stay updated, text Zion at 09084213938 or e-mail us at bohol@startupweekend.org and find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/StartupWeekendBohol/
by admin | Sep 23, 2017 | Local News / Bohol Balita, Major Events
The Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry {BCCI} commending the Armed Forces of the Philippines – 302nd Brigade in Bohol headed by Brig.Gen. Arnulfo C. Matanguihan and the Philippine National Police – Bohol headed by PS/Supt. Felipe R. Natividad, for their exemplary performance in maintaining general peace and order in the Island Province of Bohol. The BCCI gave them each a plaque of appreciation and sponsored a lunch a la Boodle Fight, as a military way of celebrating friendship and togetherness. Also gracing the event with his participation is PNP Regional Director PC/Supt. Jose Mario M. Espino, as a special guest of the boodle fight activity.
Leading the BCCI during this event is their President, Engr. Albert M. Uy with the Board of Trustees, VP for External Affairs- Mr. Norris Oculam, VP for Internal Affairs – Ms.Marietta Gasatan, Secretary- Mr Steven Lim, Public Relations Committee Chair -Mr. Peter Dejaresco, Peace and Order Committee Chair -Mr. Jess Quipit and IT Committee Chair – Mr. Jerome Auza. Also in the photo are BCCI Exec.Director Ms. Rolaine B. Uy, BCCI Secretariat Nida Bacamante and Jaya Dy and BCCI Member Ms. Daisy Cemine.
by admin | Sep 21, 2017 | Photo Story
DTI strengthens Luzon coffee industry. Following President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to bridge various gaps in the supply chain to make the local coffee industry more competitive, the Department of Trade and Industry recently gathered coffee farmers, processors, manufacturers, Regional Council Chairs, national government agencies, and members of the academe from the Island of Luzon for the Luzon Island Coffee Cluster Assembly. The assembly aimed to present the national and localized version roadmap of each region, establish an institutional mechanism of roadmap localization and implementation, and learn about coffee quality standards and market opportunities. National Coffee Coordinator and DTI Cordillera Administrative Region Regional Director Myrna Pablo explained the current situation of the industry, especially the gap between demand and production. “The Philippine coffee production is far from serving coffee consumption of the country. Currently, 90 percent of the demand is imported for about Php 12 billion. The demand is still increasing with expanding consumption based among younger generation and night shift workers. Likewise, coffee shops are increasing, and specialty coffee market is expanding,” Pablo said, adding that while coffee production is almost all over the country, the country’s production is very far from sufficiency.
by admin | Sep 20, 2017 | Business, DTI Updates, Negosyo Center Updates
DTI-CITEM targets $62M export sales in world’s biggest food fair
Coconut oil is one of the products featured in the FoodPHILIPPINES pavilion in Anuga on October 7-11. It is the third most shipped product to EU countries in 2016, with total export sales of $551.39 million
The export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to further expand the trade relationship between the Philippines and the European Union (EU) as it leads a delegation of food exporters in Anuga on October 7-11 at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany.
The Center for International Trade and Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is set to feature the country’s export-competitive products from 19 food companies under the FoodPHILIPPINES industry brand.
CITEM ED Clayton Tugonon
“The Philippines’ participation in Anuga is part of DTI’s overarching efforts to step up the export drive in EU member states and take advantage of the Philippines’ zero tariff privileges under the EU’s current Generalized System of Preferences Plus or GSP+ scheme,” said CITEM Executive Director Clayton Tugonon.
Known as the world’s largest and most important food and beverage fair, Anuga presents a combination of 10 specialized trade shows under one roof, showcasing the diverse product selection in the global food industry. This year, around 160,000 visitors are expected to join the five-day event to check out the latest and most innovative products from around 7,200 global exhibitors.
In 2015, 35 Philippine companies netted $67.7 million export sales in Anuga. For 2017, DTI-CITEM is targeting $62 million.
“Despite coming with a smaller delegation, we are not pulling any stops with our high export target. We have carefully selected 19 food companies that are primed for the European market, each capable of showcasing the best of what the Philippines have to offer,” said Tugonon.
Aside from food tasting activities, the Philippine delegation will also participate in business-matching activities during the event.
The EU is ranked as the Philippines’ 4th largest trading partner, 3rd largest import source, and 4th largest export market.
In 2016, the Philippines’ external trade in goods with the EU states totaled to $13.713 billion or 9.7 percent share of the country’s total trade, based on data of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Exports to the EU reached $6.970 billion or 12.1 percent of the total export receipts, while imports were valued at $6.743 billion or 8 percent share to total import, resulting to a balance of trade in goods (BOT-G) surplus of $227.74 million.
Among the EU-member countries, Germany is the Philippines’ top trading partner with a total trade of $4.357 billion or 31.8 percent of EU’s total trade. Revenue from export to Germany amounted to $2.329 billion while payments for imports were worth $2.028 billion or a trade surplus of $301.32 million
Within the EU, ninety percent of EU-Philippine trade is concentrated among eight EU member-states—Germany, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and Denmark.
As of now, the Philippines is enjoying a special trade arrangement and incentives with European countries as one of the 30 countries listed under EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP). Under the EU GSP, developing countries can export goods with reduced tariffs entering the EU to stimulate economic growth and job creation in their economies. The Philippines avail itself of the zero preferential duties on 6,274 products going to EU states.
FoodPHILIPPINES is the industry brand for the food sector which unifies the overseas promotional efforts of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Under this industry brand, the Philippines is positioned as Asia’s most exciting sourcing destination for food exports, being one of the world’s top exporters of tropical fruits and marine products.
by admin | Sep 19, 2017 | DTI Updates, Features, National News
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its attached agency, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) in coordination with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Paris (PTIC-Paris), recently participated at the Maison et Objet, the premier and largest French trade fair for interior design held on 8-12 September 2017 in Paris, France.
“The presence of DESIGN PHILIPPINES at this year’s Maison et Objet is a testament of DTI’s commitment to continuously support and provide global platforms for Filipino exporters and designers,” said DTI Undersecretary for Trade and Investments Promotion Group Nora K. Terrado.
As the country’s third participation in one of the world’s biggest lifestyle event which attracts over 75,000 visitors worldwide including interior designers, decorators, architects, hotel directors, art directors, stylists and trendsetters, showcased DesignPhilippines which highlighted and represented the country’s creative sensibilities.
Among the world-class Filipino companies showcased at the DesignPhilippines are: Agsam Fashion Fern, Beatriz, Catalina Embroideries, Finali, Kit Silver Jewellery, Megabijoux, Nature’s Legacy, and Weave Manila.
“We strive to open doors for our emerging designers and exporters to access global partners who frequent the world’s most important international trade shows such as the Maison et Objet which is held twice a year in Paris. This is key in enabling them to meet new trade buyers and be exposed to overseas markets,” Terrado added.
Led by DTI’s CITEM, DesignPHILIPPINES is a branding initiative that positions the Philippines as a sourcing destination for finely crafted products for the world market.
“We see the vital role that the government plays when it comes to accessing markets for our local exporters. As we participate in various international trade exhibits, we also seek the support of the private sector and businesses to collaborate with us in joining international trade fairs where they could potentially meet new buyers as well as promote Philippine design to the rest of the world,” emphasized Terrado.
In photo: Philippine Ambassador to France, HE Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro (eighth from left) join Philippine exporters from the home, lifestyle and fashion industries – Agsam Fashion Fern, Beatriz, Catalina Embroideries, Finali, Kit Silver Jewellery, Megabijoux, Nature’s Legacy, Weave Manila — who were part of the country pavilion at the Maison et Objet held in Paris, France on 8-12 September 2017. Joining them are Froilan Pamintuan, Commercial Attache of the Philippine Trade and Investment (second from right); Rapunzel Acop of the Philippine Embassy in Paris (seventh from left); Art Dimaano of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions or CITEM (ninth from left); Chiqui Veneracion of Maison et Objet (sixth from left) and Eduardo Francisco of PTIC-Paris (leftmos
by admin | Sep 19, 2017 | Business, National News
Highlights areas of bilateral cooperation with Russians
VLADIVOSTOK—Following the June visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in Russia, the Philippines (PH) successfully concluded a trade and investment scoping mission in Russia, as well as actively participated in the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) on 6-7 September.
“During this mission, we promoted PH trade and investment opportunities to Russian importers and buyers of food products, government representatives of the Primorsky Territory, officials and members of the Primorsky Chamber of Commerce & Industry, officials of the commercial port of Vladivostok, and the Far Eastern Development Corporation,” said Trade and Industry Undersecretary Rowel Barba, who led the PH delegation to Vladivostok.
Government and private sector delegates from the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Philippines-Russia Business Council (PRBC), the Philippine-Russian Business Assembly, Inc. (PRBA), and the Mindanao Banana Farmers & Exporters Association (MBFEA) also participated in the mission.
Meanwhile, USec. Barba also served as panel speaker during the EEF’s Russia-ASEAN Dialogue, where he underscored the latest developments and business opportunities in PH and ASEAN. He highlighted the MOUs signed during President Duterte’s visit to Russia. PRBA’s Armi Lopez Garcia and PRBC’s Roberto De Venecia were also resource speakers during the session and together with USec. Barba, they promoted the country and the vast economic opportunities and complementation between both countries.
Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta, meanwhile, was a panelist on the topic “Russia-ASEAN 2017: New Horizons for Mutual Cooperation.”
Parallel to the PH participation to the EEF was the PH hosting of the 49th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings on 4-11 September, with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) taking the lead.
“The key to unlocking the doorway of opportunity is by demystifying the landscape of ASEAN-Russian trade relationship. This means generating more trade opportunities between both sides, as well as creating trust and confidence in each other in the course of doing business,” said USec. Barba.
PH also encouraged private sector members to do business in PH given that among the ASEAN countries, PH is consistently among the fastest growing economies.
Also at the EEF, PRBA signed a cooperation agreement with Roscongress Foundation to enhance PH-Russia cooperation, arranging effective communications between the expert communities, business and political groups of both sides. Said agreement includes exchange of delegations and mutual expert support in organising high profile events, as well as expansion of contacts between the two countries’ business communities that will contribute to the development of trade and economic relations.
“This partnership between the two organisations will be an important platform to increase trade and investment between PH and Russia,” said USec. Barba. PH has a bilateral trade value of US$ 226.25M in 2016 with Russia, making Russia its 33rd top trading partner.
According to him, the mission complements the administration’s thrust to increase bilateral trade levels with non-traditional trading partners, including Russia.
“We are prepared to supply Russia with high-quality export products, including food and agricultural products, garments, personal care products, gifts and home-style products, electronic products and semiconductors, and automotive parts and components, among many others,” he said.
Aside from agricultural products, such as fishery products and fresh fruits, PH also offers investment potential in the sectors of infrastructure and public-private partnership (PPP) projects, as PH pushes its ‘Build Build Build’ Program.
“By being a partner in developing Philippine industries, especially in the area of mineral processing and supply of iron and steel, Russian investors can also take advantage of supplying the primordial inputs to our infrastructure development program. They can also be a source of strategic imports that support our local priority sectors,” USec. Barba added.
Russian business can likewise consider opportunities in oil and gas, electronics, aerospace, energy, IT-BPM, agriculture, tourism and retail trade in PH.
by admin | Sep 18, 2017 | National News, Negosyo Center Updates, Photo Story
True to its thrust to propel micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) towards innovative and competitive business environment, the Department of Trade and Industry Region 1, in partnership with Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), on September 15, launched the Kapatid Mentor Me Program (KMME) – Ilocos Norte Leg in Ilocos Norte.
the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship – Go Negosyo. The KMME Program is part of the DTI – PCE partnership Negosyo – Kapatid Project to help MSMEs scale up their businesses and become globally competitive enterprises through coaching and mentoring sessions.
The KMME Program is part of the Negosyo- Kapatid Project that will guide micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) scale up their businesses through 10 weeks of 1-on-1 consultations and coaching sessions with business experts and help MSMEs scale up and become globally competitive enterprises through coaching and mentoring sessions.
In his message, DTI-Ilocos Regional Director Florante Leal emphasized the role played by MSMEs in fueling the economic growth of the country while also highlighting the importance of mentoring towards the attainment of economic progress driven by empowered MSMEs.
Leal said the KMME program is a “big brother-small brother” concept, which is a perfect tool to motivate the entrepreneurial spirit of the Ilocanos and Pangasinenses.”
PCE accredited mentors shared their expertise on Entrepreneurial Mind Setting, Business Values Formation and Marketing to some 250 MSMEs from the Region.
The KMME program is in line with the Duterte Administration’s agenda of advancing MSMEs in the country.
The program will allow mentees to learn strategies on marketing, financial, human resource and operation management among others during the 10-week module-based sessions. On the 11th week, mentees are also required to present their business development plans before their graduation from the program.
Upon completion of the program, the MSEs are expected to become confident entrepreneurs with the right mindset and business-knowhow that will be able to sustain and scale up their enterprises.
For Ilocos Norte, 22 mentees were chosen for the program. Qualified mentees are business owners or managers of an enterprise with an asset of three million and below and operational for at least a year.
Ilocos Norte is the fourth and last province in the region to roll-out the Kapatid Mentor Me Program. La Union, Pangasinan have previously launched the KMME program and has already produced entrepreneur 50 graduates while 23 entrepreneurs in Ilocos Sur are expected to finish the program.
DTI rolls out Kapatid Mentor Me Program in Ilocos Norte. True to its thrust to propel micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) towards innovative and competitive business environment, the Department of Trade and Industry Region 1 in partnership with Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) last September 15, launched the Kapatid Mentor Me Program (KMME) in Ilocos Norte, to guide micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) scale up their businesses through 10 weeks of 1-on-1 consultations with business experts from the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship – Go Negosyo. The KMME Program is part of the DTI – PCE partnership Negosyo- Kapatid Project to help MSMEs scale up their businesses and become globally competitive enterprises through coaching and mentoring sessions. DTI Ilocos Region Regional Director Florante Leal said the KMME program is a “big brother-small brother” concept, which is a perfect tool to motivate the entrepreneurial spirit of the Ilocanos and Pangasinenses.”
by admin | Sep 16, 2017 | Tech Talk
Startup Weekend is an environment that aims to provide all the necessities the participant needs so that he or she can focus purely on developing his or her idea. Registering to Startup Weekend Tourism Edition entitles a participant to three days of meals, an event shirt, a goodie bag, and the event experience; and the registration fee is just seven hundred fifty pesos (PHP750.00) per participant! Ain’t that a good deal? We also understand that there are students that would like to participate so we’ve set up a student discount of just five hundred pesos (PHP500.00), just please bring your student IDs when you make your purchase.
The reason why the organizers have pulled in so much resources to pull this off at an affordable rate is so that local entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs that would like to join the event and try their hand at testing their new business idea can rest assured that everything will be provided for them as they prioritize developing their business idea.
The event is in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Provincial Government of Bohol, and the Bohol Investment Promotion Center. It is sponsored by Uniform Solutions, PrintBit, Gwion, Sea Drake Island Cruises, and Just Sizzlin’ (we are still open for sponsorships!) . The participants at the event will also be mentored by Michael de Vincent Edwards, Aimee Lim, Nelson Buena, Ben Skelton, and Peter Watkins. With them are judges Mark Phillips, Vicky Wallace, and many more startup ecosystem supporters.
by admin | Sep 15, 2017 | DTI Updates, National News
The Department of Trade and Industry, in partnership with the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO), recently launched the Building Enterprises through Advisory and Mentoring Services (BEAMS) Project in General Trias, Cavite to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by enlisting assistance from volunteer mentors.
The BEAMS project is an offshoot of CESO’s conduct of training and workshop in CALABARZON region and is anchored on the Bayanihan spirit by establishing a pool of home-grown mentors and coaches in each province of the region.
DTI CALABARZON Regional Director Marilou Q. Toledo said the BEAMS program will help MSMEs in the aspects of production management, productivity improvement, financial planning and management, product development through mentoring from DTI and CESO experts.
“BEAMS mentors will provide business diagnostics and assessment of business operations of our Shared Service Facilities (SSF) cooperators and MSMEs and counsel them on production management, productivity improvement, financial planning and management, product development, among others, which will suit the needs of each SSF and MSME,” Toledo said.
Cavite is the second province in CALABARZON to kick off BEAMS this year after Quezon.
The Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Program is an equipment sharing program aiming to assist micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through sophisticated machinery, equipment, tools, systems, skills and knowledge under a shared system.
The SSF Program provides MSMEs access to better technology and more sophisticated equipment that could boost productivity and improve efficiency, as well as address the gaps and bottle necks in the global value chain being faced by MSMEs, which comprise 99.6% of locally registered businesses, generating over one million jobs a year.
The equipment-sharing program also increases capabilities of both manufacturing and agriculture-based MSMEs to enable them to develop capacity and a culture of quality.
Universities and colleges including the National College of Science and Technology-Dasmarinas, De La Salle University- Dasmarinas, and Imus Institute of Science and Technology and partner agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology, Provincial Cooperative, Livelihood, and Entrepreneurial Development Office-Cavite, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Cavite, and Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants vowed to throw its full support and commitment to the program to help MSMEs.
CESO is Canada’s economic development organization that draws on senior executives and technical experts to build the capacity in governance and economic development through the transfer of knowledge and skills by Volunteer Advisors around the world and in Canada. It is funded by the Canadian Government- Global Affairs Canada.
