The Royal Cargo, Inc. (RCI) will commence its maiden voyage to Los Angeles by mid-September this year. Its launch will be made through one of the vessels of Iris Logistics Inc. (Iris Paoay), a Philippine shipping company 80% owned by RCI. Iris Paoay is a general container cargo vessel with 1100 TEUs capacity.
The maiden voyage will be a direct, non-stop service between the Philippines (MNL-CEB-DVO) and the US (LA). Continue reading Royal Cargo commences maiden voyage to LA by mid-September
The Department of Finance (DOF), Bureau of Customs (BOC), together with the Anti-red Tape Authority (ARTA) headways the onboarding activities of the eighteen (18) trade regulatory priority agencies in TradeNet; Six (6) of which were recently onboarded which include BAFS, SRA, FPA, EMB, NMIS and OMB. These agencies are still finalizing their module manuals, operational guidelines, and helpdesk in preparation for their live implementation. The TradeNet Steering Committee also pledged to include another twelve (12) agencies to onboard by September 2021.Continue reading DOF-BOC-ARTA headways onboarding activities of the 18 priority agencies in TradeNet
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) prepares the PH live exchange of the ASEAN Customs Declaration Document (ACDD) by December 2021, via the TradeNet. The completion of the ACDD system’s bidding process received concurrence from the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) on 05 August 2021. BOC is now crafting a national master data plan with the USAID ASEAN Policy Implementation (API) Project Team for Interoperability. Continue reading BOC prepares PH Live Exchange of the ASEAN Customs Declaration Document via TradeNet
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.
The MSME Business Banking App is a financial platform designed to address important bottlenecks of MSMEs in their quest to innovate their businesses. Particularly in getting started in the online digital space, accessing finance, managing cashflows, and enabling payments for their goods and services.
Continue reading DTI partners with Unionbank in fostering financial resilience for MSMEs
EDC lauds the Department of Finance (DOF) and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on deferring the implementation of Revenue Regulation (RR) no. 9-2021, which levies 12% VAT on indirect exports pending issuance of an amendatory regulation. BIR will provide the transition process for those who already paid the 12% VAT while the RR was in effect from June 27 to July 21, 2021.
DOF and BIR granted the petition of the grappling MSMEs passionately echoed by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda during the Committee Briefing on Ways and Means on July 21, 2021. The solon added that we are not yet over the pandemic hence suggested it is best deferred as a way of support to the sector.
Continue reading EDC lauds DOF and BIR deferment of 12% VAT on indirect exports
The Export Development Council’s (EDC) Networking Committee on Transport and Logistics (NCTL) and the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP) recommended the postponement of the proposed rate increases of the Manila North Harbour Port, Inc. (MNHPI).
MNHPI presented their petition for a 15.33% upward adjustment in cargo handling tariff and passenger terminal fee at the North Port at a virtual public hearing dated 02 July 2021. Continue reading EDC and SCMAP endorse the postponement of Manila North Harbor’s proposed rate increase
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) virtually launched the Reengineering Manual towards Efficient Philippine government services. A reference that supports the whole-of-government approach in streamlining Philippine government systems and procedures in delivering public services. This initiative is the result of a Memorandum of Understanding between the UK Government and ARTA signed last 4 February 2020.
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) set another milestone as it virtually launches via zoom the Philippine Good Regulatory Principles (PGRP) Manual on 01 July 2021 as a commitment to implement regulations based on the right principles of regulatory management.
Accordingly, these principles are composed of ten guidelines that support the conduct of a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) and strengthen the country’s ease of doing business. All government agencies must implement, as covered by Section 3 of RA 11032. Continue reading ARTA launches the Philippine Good Regulatory Principles Manual
Shippers are now responsible for obtaining and documenting the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of their containers, as ordered by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in AO No. 02-2021.
The Revised Guidelines on the Implementation of Mandatory Weighing of Export Containers (PPA AO No. 02-2021), in compliance with the SOLAS regulations, requires the shippers to verify the gross mass of the packed container by weighing using calibrated and certified equipment or calculating the sum of single masses. Continue reading Shippers ordered to ascertain VGM of their containers
The Land Bank of the Philippines is the country’s premier government financial institution which provides services that help promote countryside development while remaining financially viable. One of its major services is to provide credit assistance to small farmers and fisherfolk.
The Yes! to Agriculture Program (YESAP) is a product offered by Landbank to youth (18-35 years old) MSME agri-entrepreneurs to help them to engage in viable and sustainable agribusiness projects such as agricultural and fishery production and trading, processing, servicing, and distribution of agricultural crops and commodities. Continue reading Landbank’s YESAP to aid emerging youth MSME agri-entrepreneurs