Author Archives: edcinforms

BSOs oppose the PhP100 Minimum Wage Hike

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT), Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI), and other business support organizations (BSOs) expressed dissent against the PhP100 daily minimum wage increase.

On 14 February 2024, through an open letter, the BSOs urged the policymakers, particularly the Senate, to adopt a more comprehensive approach to addressing economic inequality, which involves investing more in education, skills development, and infrastructure, as well as creating an enabling environment for business growth and job creation rather than focusing solely on wage increases. It also means passing legislation to solve low productivity, poor governance, excessive regulations, worsening poverty, and serious income inequality, which characterize a country with a large informal sector once and for all.

Continue reading BSOs oppose the PhP100 Minimum Wage Hike

PH Export Slump: Impact on 2024 Growth Forecasts

The Philippines faces hurdles in reaching its 2024 growth target due to a significant slump in exports. Weak export demand, particularly from key markets like the United States and China poses a challenge.

Economists and experts have varying projections for the Philippine economic performance this year. While the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) remains optimistic with growth projections of 6.5 to 7.5 percent growth, others like the First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC) and the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) anticipate slower GDP growth of at least 6.0 percent this year.  Continue reading PH Export Slump: Impact on 2024 Growth Forecasts

EDC, DTI-EMB, and PHILEXPORT to conduct PEDP 2023-2028 Regionalization nationwide

The Export Development Council (EDC), the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), and PHILEXPORT will conduct the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2023-2028 Regionalization Roadshow nationwide. The event will feature presentations, workshops, and seminars to bring together exporters, would-be exporters, government agencies, LGUs, academe, and media in the top exporting regions of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. With the primary aim of cascading the government agencies Programs, Activities, Projects (PAPs) supportive of the implementation of the PEDP, participants will acquire a firsthand understanding of the strategic direction and targets outlined in the plan. To read more about it, click this link  .
Continue reading EDC, DTI-EMB, and PHILEXPORT to conduct PEDP 2023-2028 Regionalization nationwide

EDC surge endorsement of Travel Tax Exemption as global economy opens

As the global economy opens with the resumption of International Trade Shows, the Export Development Council (EDC) receives a surge in endorsement of Travel Tax Exemption (TTE) applications for participation in international events. The EDC has endorsed five hundred fourteen applications (514) to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) for the period January to August 2023. This is a solid proof that we are now in the New or Next Normal. It reflected a significant increase compared to the previous years of 2020-2022 due to the pandemic. In 2022, only a total of forty-one (41) applications were endorsed by the EDC from the same period as of this year. The TTE applications are expected to increase further in the last quarter of 2023. Continue reading EDC surge endorsement of Travel Tax Exemption as global economy opens

2023 PH (RIA) Training Workbook to foster regulatory efficiency

ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez led the launching ceremony of the 2023 Philippine Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) Training Workbook on August 15, 2023, at the Novotel Manila.

The RIA Training Workbook is a comprehensive guide for implementing government agencies, including their respective offices and exporters, enabling them to carry out and embrace the RIA process effectively. The workbook offers systematic instructions, equipping them with essential knowledge and tools to navigate regulatory requirements, optimize efficiency, and foster an environment conducive to growth.  Continue reading 2023 PH (RIA) Training Workbook to foster regulatory efficiency

PBBM embraces public-private collaboration to develop PH as key player in e-vehicle industry

PBBM welcomed the public-private sector collaboration to develop the e-vehicle industry in the country during the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Job Sector Groups (JSG) Meeting on 17 August 2023.

With this collaboration, this could help the PH exporters as they can potentially export locally manufactured electric vehicles and EV components to other countries. As global demand for electric vehicles grows, there may be opportunities for Philippine manufacturers to tap into international markets. Continue reading PBBM embraces public-private collaboration to develop PH as key player in e-vehicle industry

EDC to cascade the PEDP 2023-2028 at Regionalization Roadshow

The Export Development Council (EDC) in partnership with the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau and PHILEXPORT, gears up to cascade the promotion of the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2023-2028 in the regions. The EDC will commence the PEDP Regionalization activities starting the latter part of August to middle of November, through a series of Seminars and Workshops at identified top exporting regions in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, specifically in (1) NCR, (2) Region III-Pampanga, (3) Region IV-A-Laguna (CALABARZON), (4) Region VI-A-Iloilo City, (5) Region VII-Cebu City, (6) Region X-Cagayan de Oro City, (7) Region XI-Davao City and (8) Region XII-General Santos.
Continue reading EDC to cascade the PEDP 2023-2028 at Regionalization Roadshow

EDC lauds BOC’s Digital Transformation

As a long-time partner in streamlining processes and trade facilitation in the country, the Export Development Council, through its Networking Committee on Trade Policies and Procedures Simplification (NCTPPS), lauds BOC’s buy-in to achieving Digital Transformation.

The Bureau has introduced six (6) new automation projects for the efficiency and transparency of its operation. Following are the said projects and their functions:  Continue reading EDC lauds BOC’s Digital Transformation

ARTA gears up Green Lanes for Strategic Investments under EO 18

The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) gears up to implement Green Lanes for Strategic Investments under Executive Order (EO) 18, series of 2023. Said EO defines those that are aligned with the Philippine Development Plan or any equivalent national development plan and can be characterized by significant capital or investment in the country as a strategic investment.

Strategic investments are those with consequential economic impact, positive impact on the environment, significant contribution to the country’s balance of payments, complex technical processes and engineering designs, and will improve the country’s infrastructure capabilities.
Continue reading ARTA gears up Green Lanes for Strategic Investments under EO 18

ARISE PH launch Guidebook on Exporting to EU

ARISE Plus Philippines launched the business guidebook aimed to help improve the Philippines’ access to the European Union (EU) market and utilize the EU Generalized Systems of Preferences (EU -GSP+) scheme.

The guidebook provides technical and regulatory requirements to be completed within the Philippines to export to the EU, and measures to meet to cross the EU border.

Under the EU GSP+ scheme, the Philippines enjoys duty-free access for products across around 66% of all EU tariff lines. Among the top GSP+ exports of the country are agricultural goods like coconut oil, tuna, and pineapples as well as electronic goods like vacuum cleaners and pneumatic tires.The Philippines and the EU share a total of EUR 18.4 Billion in bilateral trade in goods. Continue reading ARISE PH launch Guidebook on Exporting to EU