This move comes in response to widespread appeals from stakeholders within the industry and seeks to bring uniformity to the diverse fee structures previously in place. One of the key revisions introduced by this order is the reduction in supervision fees, particularly benefiting MSMEs operating as members of CBW. Continue reading BOC Cuts Fees for Customs Bonded Warehouses, Backs MSMEs, and Eases Regulations
Author Archives: edcinforms
DOLE Gears Fund on Workers’ Skills Upgrade Projects
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) gears to grant funds to enterprises focused on upskilling their workers’ capabilities.
Relative to this DOLE, under the leadership of Sec. Bienvenido Laguesma issued Department Order 241, Series of 2024, the “Implementing Guidelines of the DOLE Adjustment Measures Program (DOLE-AMP) for Workers and Enterprises”. The program aims to boost human resources and achieve decent and sustainable work, benefitting workers’ productivity with improved and upgraded skills. Also, it financially supports enterprises that are up to reskill and upskill their employees to make them agile. Continue reading DOLE Gears Fund on Workers’ Skills Upgrade Projects
Boosting Agriculture and Tourism: Lessons from the 7th Philippine Farm Tourism Conference
The 7th Philippine Farm Tourism Conference, hosted by the provincial government of Bohol, focuses on empowering farming communities towards sustainable growth in agriculture and tourism. Highlighting the significance of food tourism in boosting agricultural production and the local economy, the conference emphasizes learnings, models, and best practices in fruit and vegetable farms, aquaculture, artisanal fisheries, and green investments in farm tourism.
In his keynote speech, EDC Vice Chair and PHILEXPORT President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. acknowledged the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, including sluggish growth, low incomes for farmers and fisherfolk, and inadequate inputs, finance, and technologies. He stressed the need for reforms to enhance exports and transform the country into an attractive investment hub. Continue reading Boosting Agriculture and Tourism: Lessons from the 7th Philippine Farm Tourism Conference
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.
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