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DTI leads Halal export promotion and dev’t
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as the lead agency in developing and promoting the Philippine halal industry, is set to implement initiatives toward the development of the country’s Halal exports highlighting its potential contribution in driving trade and investments in the country. Speaking at the recent World Halal Assembly held in Manila last 18 and 19 January, DTI Trade and Investments Promotion Group Assistant Secretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman cited figures validating the need for the Philippines to get involved in halal export, import and production. “Muslim population worldwide has been steadily growing at a 1.84 percent per annum. In 2016 Muslim population was at 2.14 billion, growing to 2.18 billion in 2017. At present, 32.43 percent of Asia’s current population of 1.4 billion is Muslim. In Africa, there are 635 million Muslims. World Muslim population translates to a $3.2- trillion halal industry worldwide. It is expected to increase to $10 trillion by 2030,” explained Assistant Secretary Macatoman. He added, “the sheer size of underserved markets makes it easier to penetrate the industry. There are simply more people who need Halal products and services than there are existing businesses.” At present, the Philippines only contributes five (5) percent of the global halal trade. With the new Philippine halal law in place, Assistant Secretary Macatoman explained that Filipino entrepreneurs are in the best position to take advantage of the rising halal industry worldwide. According to him, Filipino Muslims naturally understand what the global market wants and needs, being part of the market themselves. “Filipino entrepreneurs like the ones based in Zamboanga are in a... read morePH exports to EU grew by 31%
MANILA – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) welcomed another milestone for Philippines (PH) and European Union (EU) trade relations as export products hit a 31% growth wherein EUR 2 billion-worth of PH products were exported through EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+). “We are pleased to hear of the significant increase of our exports entering the EU market through the GSP+. This trade preference has benefitted several communities in the Philippines and opened opportunities for our Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME). In the same manner, it has allowed our MSMEs to be more competitive in the local and foreign market,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez. The 31% of total PH merchandise exports to the EU amounted to USD 8.4 billion in 2017. This made the EU the third largest export partner of PH. In the EU Trade Preferences Monitoring Report released on 19 January 2018, the robust trade relations between the two parties was highlighted with EUR 2 billion-worth of PH exports in 2017 benefitting from the GSP+ compared to the EUR 1.66 billion in 2016. A major increase was in food and agriculture exports such as animal products, fish and related products, prepared food, and edible fruits. Likewise, automotive parts, leather, textile, and footwear showed significant growth. Since the beginning of the preferential treatment in 2014, both PH and EU have enjoyed the mutual benefits of GSP+ by letting Filipino MSMEs participate in a bigger value chain and giving the EU market more options for their consumers. Local communities can take advantage of the export opportunities under the GSP+, like fishermen in General Santos and coconut... read more
DTI joins HIMS trade and investment roadshow in the USA
Houston, Texas – The 2018 Philippines Healthcare Information Management Services (HIMS) Trade and Investment Roadshow to the USA with the theme “Unlocking Opportunities. Embracing Innovation” held a business forum and outreach in Houston, Texas from 1-2 March 2018. Texas Honorary Consul General Ethel Mercado welcomed the Philippine delegation headed by DTI Undersecretary for Trade and Investments Promotion Group Nora Terrado and composed of officials from the Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) and Export Management Bureau (EMB), Philippine business process management (BPM) industry leaders and representatives from 13 companies providing IT and HIMS-BPM services. Attended by healthcare professionals and business owners ranging from small to large healthcare facilities and institutions, the business forum held at the Texas Medical Center (TMC) 3rd Coast Restaurant highlighted the Philippines’ strong economic growth that translates to more enhanced partnership opportunities between the Philippines and the Houston healthcare industry. The delegation served as ambassadors in promoting the sector’s strengths, advantages and capabilities. Company visits to the top three (3) health facilities in Houston, namely Memorial Hermann, Methodist, and CHI St. Lukes as well as Kindred and HealthSouth facilitated discussions on the impact of technology on healthcare information management. “As we see the transformative effect of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the healthcare industry, the Philippines will continue to advance the complementation of our services and these emerging technologies. It also gives pride to the Philippines the increasing role of Overseas Filipino Investors (OFIs) in Houston’s healthcare and IT-BPM sector who have established their own respective facilities. We will continue to enhance our services to...Gov Chatto Hosts Bohol ICT Sectoral Discussion
Balilihan, Bohol – Gov. Edgar M. Chatto hosted the Bohol ICT sectoral discussion at the Balilihan Congressional District Library, Balilihan, Bohol on June 15, 2016. The event was organized by the Bohol Investments Promotion Center under the leadership of Ms. Inday Dominise. The participants were representatives from Bohol ICT Council, Bohol Chamber of Commerce, DOST, DTI, DepEd, TESDA, BEPO, PPDO, Telco officers, Tagbilaran City LGU, BISU, Geeks on a Beach organizing team, BICTU and other representatives of various offices. Ms. Lai Biliran presented the opportunities in the IT-BPM Industry and other sectors in the Philippine Digital Economy. Telco representatives discussed the plans of improving the Internet service in the province. The venue also happened to be very challenging area for deploying Internet and telecommunications service being surrounded by high terrain and without wired telco facilities yet. The organizing committee of Geeks on a Beach also presented the details about the coming international technology conference to be held in Bellevue Hotel in Panglao, Bohol on August 25-26,...Local News/ Bohol Balita
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It may be a classic case of history repeats itself. Or, some messed-up attention-hungry slob wants to grab all the credits without using the grey matter men are endowed. Or, there isn’t any grey matter at all to talk about in the first place. Not a few weeks ago, news spread about a guy nabbed in a buy bust, who suddenly became the suspect of a brutal murder of a radio broadcaster. Police said they have him in sights for over a week. But they couldn’t get him for murder, they need to desperately tag him for drugs enough to plaster in the public the infamous idea of a case going on to the rails. Well, suspect was presented to the media and yes, as you must know, the race to a scoop has always animated media men to presume and let the details fall into place later. The next day’s news was as predictable. What is not, was when a lawyer and a rights group insist the suspect is a fall guy he must be covered or he becomes a guy who falls for good. The rest is yesterday’s news. Yesterday too, news paper reports the capture of the infamous killer of a barangay kagawad and her teen daughter in Catigbian. The making of another blooper presents itself here. As sketchy as the reports, the accused was not bagged for double murder, he was accosted again by, like you guessed, drugs: in a buy bust. Either the officer who leaked the information to the reporter knows what he is doing. Or he simply knows nothing. Nada. At least...TAFIAS goes from Zero to Hero
The Talisay Fishermen’s Association (TAFIAS) got a boost in its capability to better the lives of its members. TAFIAS launched on March 18, 2015 its new line of premium tilapia chips that comes in four flavors: Chocolate, Chilli, Ginger and Garlic. The association is based in Talisay, Anda, Bohol and where assisted by volunteers led by Robin Gurney and Janno Siimar. Gurney currently resides in Anda and has been doing a lot of volunteer work for the locality. Siimar is a branding and marketing professional who volunteered about three months of his time to help the association in developing the brand TAFIAS. Both Gurney and Siimar hail all the way from Estonia. During the launch, Ana Mainit, TAFIAS Chairman welcomed the guests and Anda Mayor Dodong Amper spoke about the work done by TAFIAS and many volunteers to help provide sustainable livelihood to the fisherfolk and their...Bohol notes up-trend in crimes in February
TAGBILARAN CITY, March 17, (PIA)–After months of slouch, crime volume in Bohol registered a slight uptrend of six more cases in February at 724 compared to the previous month which only had 718. Over the two months too, Bohol crime busters noted a 9 case increase in index crimes while non index crimes decreased by five, according to PCInspector Jeffrey Caballes, reporting for PSSUpt Dennis Agustin. But in all, Major Caballes reiterates that, unlike what it shows at face value, police pro-active operations significantly increased the crimes. He also pointed out that, in situations like proactive police, crimes may increase but it does not imply a disturbed society. In the same report, Camp Dagohoy statisticians pointed out that physical injury, robbery and theft still ranks the three most committed crimes in the police list. Physical injuries rank first with 40% of the crime pie at 170 cases, followed by theft at 33% or 143 cases while third is robbery at 64 cases getting 15% of the crime pie. Of the 170 physical injuries cases, Police major Caballes went on to show that 118 of these cases were vehicular accidents. As PCInspector George Vale, City police chief ascribes the vehicular accidents to the proliferation of motorcycles which can easily be had. Governor Edgar Chatto also pointed out that the smoother and better roads would lead into faster ride and thus, accident prone. Himself admitting he is probably the most travelled Boholano now, the governor also noted that he himself see many youngsters in the towns driving motorcycles, and no one seems to mind them. Apart from illegally driving without licenses...SP to study law banning alcohol sales to minors
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, March 17, (PIA)–Bohol’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) is into studying ways to put a policy on intoxicated minors driving at night and causing accidents, all in aid of legislation. Board Member Cesar Tomas Lopez, SP Committee on Peace announced to the recent Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) Meeting March 17, that he would ask the SP to study if crafting a legislation to impose regulations on selling alcohol to minors, or a simultaneous alcohol and drug testing for intoxicated drivers involved in drug accidents would be good. More so, Land Transportation Office (LTO) registrar Erwin Patalinghug added that his office awaits 10 Alcohol Breath Testing (ABT) apparatuses and the trained technical team to handle such to help in keeping drunk drivers off the streets. This too as the statisticians at Camp Francisco Dagohoy tracked 170 physical injury cases in February, and some 118 of these by vehicular accidents, report by PCInspector Jeffrey Caballes showed. In these cases of physical injuries, Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio revealed to the council that more and more minors are involved, a good number of them under the influence of liquor. Meanwhile, City Police Chief PCInspector George Vale confirmed Damalerio’s revelations, adding that more and more motorcycles are getting involved in accidents, them becoming readily available that stores even sell it to customers who could not show licenses. The problem seems to be compounded as the police could not fully deploy its men on the streets owing to the absence of police traffic deputation by the LTO. LTO registrar Patalinghug also the LTO holds in abeyance the issuance of Temporary Operator’s Permit...Creative Marketing for Small Business with Janno Siimar Creative Director, www.velvet.ee, Tallinn
19th March 4pm – 5.30pm, Fablab @ BISU Following the successful launch of TAFIAS WORLD FAMOUS TILAPIA CHIPS (tafias.org), Janno Siimar and Robin Gurney will tell how they went about creating this luxury pasalubong brand. There will follow a Q&A session for attendees to ask questions to help their own branding and marketing plans for their small businesses. Often there is no shortage of ideas and practical tools, yet the gap in a small enterprise’s skillset is marketing. This event is an opportunity to learn how to PRESENT and SELL from two of the best. Bohol is thankful to these two individuals who hail from faraway Estonia and the UK, kindly offering to share their knowledge. Attendees with active or planned small businesses are encouraged to attend. The mission is to help small business in Bohol. Should you wish to attend, register and RSVP on http://meetu.ps/2H9bpM to reserve a seat. Tickets are free but required for admittance. This event is part of an Andakidz project co-funded by the Estonian Government Development Fund. Promoted by...National News
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