Transport and logistics associations bare their goals at the 2022 Ports and Shipping Conference

The United Portusers Confederation, Inc. (UPC), a group of transport and logistics associations, bares its goals on day 2 of the 2022 Ports and Shipping Conference.

Mr. Nelson Mendoza, president of UPC, reported that its mission is to be the “go-to organization for port-related concerns of all port users and stakeholders nationwide.”, and relative to that announced the following as their current goals:

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BSP allows person-to-merchant payments under QR Ph

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has expanded QR Ph, the country’s QR code standard, to enable person-to-merchant (P2M) payments to boost the digitalization of small businesses. The use of QR codes for payments has been gaining traction as an alternative to cash or traditional debit and credit card payments. In November 2019, the payment industry participants led by the Philippine Payments Management, Inc. (PPMI), under the guidance of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), launched the “QR Ph”, as the National QR Code standard.

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WTO continues its e-commerce customs tariff moratorium

Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreed to abstain from imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, last 12-17 June 2022. The moratorium will expire until the next Ministerial Conference (MC13), which will be held on 31 December 2023, or until 31 March 2024 should MC13 be delayed. The said moratorium was adopted by WTO in 1998 and renewed at successive ministerial conferences. 

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EDC forges BOC and DTI-EMB Memorandum Agreement

The Export Development Council (EDC) forges the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) to ink a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to strengthen the partnership in enhancing trade facilitation and further support the development of the export industry. DOF Secretary Sonny Domiguez and DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez are both optimistic on the agreement. 

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ARTA launches e-ARTA Complaints Management System

The anti-red tape watchdog officially launched e-ARTA Complaints Management System, the first of its kind in the Philippine government. The launch of the said online platform was the agency’s approach to digitize its services and make them more accessible and convenient to the public. It features an a) electronic ticketing system; b) paperless complaint filing; c) cloud storage for backup; and d) SMS notification for complaints.

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Zero Backlog Policy, Paigtingin! 3-7-20, Laging Sundin!

ARTA is the government agency mandated to administer, implement, and monitor compliance with the national policy on anti-red tape and the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018”.

The strengthened version of the law aims to facilitate prompt actions or resolutions of all government transactions. It applies to all government offices, agencies, and other government instrumentalities, whether located in the Philippines or abroad.

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New regulations to be implemented on food product exports to China

China heightened food safety management measures through the issuance of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) Decree nos. 248 and 249. Overseas producers of food exports to China shall abide by these regulations to obtain GACC certification. This means “No GACC certificate, No import to China”. This said policy will be implemented on 01 January 2022. 

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DTI partners with Unionbank in fostering financial resilience for MSMEs

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) partners with the Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) in fostering financial resilience for MSMEs.  UnionBank presented during a webinar their initiatives on assisting the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) amidst the digital shift, focusing on their products, namely the MSME Business Banking App, UPay, and SeekCap, all geared towards financial resilience.

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BDO Kabuhayan loan to aid MSMEs amidst the pandemic

The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) continue to thrive amidst the problematic economic landscape brought about by the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic.
 
BDO Network Bank, the rural banking subsidiary of BDO Unibank, Inc., is offering financing opportunities for MSMEs that aim to expand, and at the same time, offer them easy loan payments.

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BSP to standardize MSMEs loan application process

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is working with banks on the standardization of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) loan application process. BSP is also developing the concept note and draft standard loan application form. This initiative aims to streamline/ lessen the requirements of financial institutions and provide more access to MSMEs. 

In a press release by the BSP, it has allowed loans to large enterprises and MSMEs to be considered banks’ alternative reserve compliance until end-2022 to help companies affected by the pandemic. Consequently, loans that are guaranteed by the Philippine Guarantee Corporation, the Agricultural Guarantee Fund Pool (AGFP), and the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) were assigned a zero percent credit risk weight. This move is meant to encourage banks to lend to small farmers and fisherfolk.

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