Category Archives: Current News

Digital transformation highlighted in this year’s National Export Congress

“Driving Exports Through Digital Transformation” was this years’ theme for the annual National Export Congress which was successfully conducted last 06 December 2019 at the Philippine International Convention Center. The theme focused on technology and innovation initiatives to grow exports and promote collaboration between and among the government, industry and academe as a critical element in improving the country’s economy.

The Congress tackled timely and relevant issues on what policies can the government develop to cope up with the demand and rigors of converting the country’s international trade agenda into the digital era.  It also tackled how businesses, especially the export sector, could equip themselves and properly respond to the fast-changing technological revolution that is dominating and shaping today’s global trade.

DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, in his keynote speech, revealed that the department has called for a P25 billion to P30 billion budget for the export sector over a three-year period as government moves to provide all-out support for the export sector through incentives under the Strategic Investment Priorities Plan (SIPP), implementation of standards and safeguard measures to strengthen domestic manufacturing, reduced trade barriers, and fund mobilization, including soft loans. The Trade Chief added that such a move will not only bolster the country’s economic growth but will address our trade deficit, generate more jobs and employment and income opportunities for Filipinos.

On the other hand, PHILEXPORT President, Mr. Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis, Jr, emphasized the need for the country’s MSMEs to level up their operations and improve their business processes and efficiencies as the economy moves towards emerging opportunities in the age of digitalization.

Moreover, the NEC also gave due recognition and acknowledgment to twenty-one (21) Top Filipino exporters of 2018. They were given recognition based on their track record, excellence and innovation in the delivery of goods and services. Their fortitude and determination to achieve success in producing globally competitive products has greatly contributed to the country’s export revenue.

The awards were presented and handed out by DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, PHILEXPORT President Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman, and DTI-EMB Director, Senen M. Perlada.

The NEC is the culminating event of the National Exporters Week (NEW). Every first week of December is the annual celebration of the NEW per Presidential Proclamation No. 9931, s. 1996 and House Resolution No. 33. It highlights the government and private sectors’ commitment to continuously work together to sustain export promotion and development.-GTM

Philippines joins ASEAN exchange of electronic Certificate of Origin

The Philippines can now exchange electronic Certificate of Origin (e-CO) with Indonesia and Malaysia as it joins ASEAN Single Window (ASW) Live Operation on 30 December 2019.

The e-CO refers to the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) Form D, an international trade document attesting that goods in a particular export shipment were wholly obtained, produced, manufactured, or processed in a particular country.

As confirmed in an email by the ASEAN Secretariat, “the remaining AMS (ASEAN Member States) will need more time to complete domestic procedures and resolving remaining technical issues”.

Consequently, the Bureau of Customs, through its Export Coordination Division (ECD) and Export Divisions in selected ports shall now issue e-CO using the TradeNet platform pursuant to Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) 15-2019.

The Order governs the application, submission, and processing of e-CO and aims “to facilitate the transmission of e-CO for export products and the receipt of e-CO for imported products.” Meanwhile, the TradeNet covers the functions of the Philippine National Single Window (PNSW). It serves as an automated permit, licensing, and clearance system integrated into one platform for 66 Trade Regulatory Government Agencies (TRGAs) and 10 economic zones. ARB

DOTr initiatives show strong support to the PEDP

In support to Strategy 1 of the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2018-2022 which is to improve the overall climate for export development, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) contributed through its submission of the Agency’s Policies, Action Plans and Programs (PAPs) to raise the productivity and competitiveness of Philippine Enterprises.

The DOTr PAPs focus on the development of infrastructures such as Railways, Maritime, Aviation, Road transport, and Toll roads. DOTr reported that from 2016 to 2019, it has reached a total of 119 completed airport projects; of which 70 projects are directly under the DOTr. Some completed projects include Marinduque, Sangley and Camiguin Airport.

Moreover, DOTr also reported numerous railway infrastructure projects namely the North-South Commuter Railway System, Metro Manila Subway, MRT3 Rehabilitation, Mindanao Railway, PNR South Long Haul (Manila-Batangas-Sorsogon), LRT-1 Cavite Extension and Subic-Clark Railway. It is noted that some of the said projects are now ongoing rehabilitation specifically that of the MRT-3 which includes the overhaul of the rail line’s 72 light rail vehicles, replacement of mainline tracks, rehabilitation of power and overhead catenary systems, and other improvements.

All these initiatives are geared to make the movement of goods and people not only easier and faster but more so, cost-effective and efficient.

For other programs and further details, visit the DOTr website at http://dotr.gov.ph/- PKC