The Export Development Council (EDC) re-grants Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc.’s (PHILEXPORT) accreditation as the dominant umbrella organization of Philippine exporters during its first ever virtual Joint Council and Executive Committee (EXCOM) Meeting via ZOOM.

It is notable that EDC is mandated by the Export Development Act (EDA) of 1994 to “accredit a single umbrella organization of exporters…to represent the export sector concerns and interests for three (3) years, after which the Council shall undertake a review of the accreditation prior to the granting/re-granting of the said accreditation.”

On Tuesday, 20 May 2020, EDC convened the Joint Council and EXCOM Meeting chaired by Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.  Aside from the approval of PHILEXPORT’s accreditation for another three (3) years (June 2020 – May 2023), a timely agenda including the Philippine Economic Stimulus Act (PESA) of 2020 presented by Cong. Stella Quimbo, the Board of Investment’s Industry Promotions Strategies and Initiatives presented by Usec. Ceferino Rodolfo, the Exporters’ Survey Results by the Export Marketing Bureau, the New Normal Export Road-map by the PHILEXPORT, and also the Framework for the review of Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2018-2022 with post pandemic purview were intently tackled.

The meeting was graced by the Council and EXCOM members from both the government and private sectors. All the members from government agencies were represented, namely the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Finance (DOF), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Department of Labor (DOLE). Also, representatives from the Office of the President (OP) were in attendance.

For the private sector members, representatives from Visayas and Mindanao, from agriculture, food, construction, garments and textile sectors, from PHILEXPORT, and from Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI) were also present. – KJDA 

Exporters were encouraged by Canva Philippines to use the Canva app for graphic marketing design. Resource speakers from Canva Philippines lectured on graphic design basics and application of its design principles on how to strengthen brand style and social media presence. Canva is a free application useful to exporters in developing innovative marketing strategies to better connect with their customers locally and in the global market.

Said strategies were discussed during the recent information session on Philippine Export Competitiveness Program (PECP) held last 30 January 2020 organized by the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). PECP is a regular monthly forum organized by EMB to boost the competitiveness stance of domestic manufacturers and exports through seminars, information sessions, and activities that give them insights on productivity, innovation, and updates on export trends.

For further inquiries, you may contact Canva Philippines through email at tin@canva.com or thru mobile no. +63 9453.228296. For more updates on PECP seminars, training and info-session you may contact email thru exponet@dti.gov.ph or at telephone no. (02) 8465.3300 local 107.-MGL

Tradeline Philippines is a platform beneficial to exporters for it is an integrated export information system that provides regular trade statistics reports, market and product information, supplier and buyer databases, online business matching with foreign buyers and other trade-related information through the web. Exporters are encouraged to register and update company profile thru http://businessmatching.dti.gov.ph.

Tradeline Philippines is the business intelligence platform of the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) that aims to provide timely and relevant information and assistance to existing and potential exporters to enhance their capabilities and competitiveness as suppliers of quality goods and services to global markets.

For further inquiries please call EMB-Knowledge Process Division through telephone no. 465.3300 local 105 or email at embkpd@dti.gov.ph. –MGL

The Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), Export Development Council (EDC) and the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) cordially invites all exporters, Small and Medium Enterprises, Academe, International Organizations and relevant stakeholders  to  save the date and participate in this year’s National Export Congress (NEC) 2019 on 06 December 2019, 8:00 -4:00 PM at the Philippine International Convention Center, CCP Complex, Pasay City, with the theme “DRIVING EXPORTS THROUGH DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION”.

The Congress will showcase how the government will address the challenges brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and how the private sector and businesses, specifically the export sector will respond to such challenges to meet their global market demands using digital tools. –GTM

The Export Development Council (EDC) in partnership with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) continuously supports Philippine Exporters by giving travel tax exemption incentives through Executive Order (EO) 589 for the past 12 years.

Said EO only exempts exporters joining international trade fairs, exhibitions, selling missions, conferences, trade negotiations, seminars and other promotion activities, from paying the travel tax amounting to Php 1,620 for economy class and Php 2,700 for business class.

Since 2007,  EDC has endorsed 13,174 Travel Tax Exemptions (TTEs) applications to TIEZA which issues the exemption certificates. From the total TTEs issued 87% are for joining international trade fairs, 10% for outbound business and selling missions and  3%  for other participation i.e. conferences, seminars and promotions activities.

Exporters are still encouraged to avail of this government support.  The TTE application form can be downloaded at http://edc.net.ph/downloads/TTEform.pdf.

For other concerns and information on tax exemptions not covered by EO 589, you may call TIEZA at telephone numbers 249.5900 locals 641/646/643.- MGL

BSP amends regulations on Foreign Exchange transactions

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) conducted a briefing on the amendments to its Manual of Regulations on Foreign Exchange (FX) Transactions last 06 August 2019 at the BSP Assembly Hall in Manila.

Deputy Director Jodeth Niña Yeung discussed in details the recent amendments to BSP’s Manual of FX Regulations. Highlighting that these new policy reforms made the country’s FX regulatory framework further liberalized. In fact, according to Chinn-Ito Financial Index (2016), the Philippines’ FX flow openness index remains higher compared to ASEAN neighbors: Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. Because of BSP’s facilitative and more liberalized regulations, FX transactions are now more streamlined and simplified.

The amended FX regulations include the following major reforms:

1. Lifting of prior BSP approval requirement for purely private sector FX loans. Henceforth, companies need only to register.
2. Replacement of a positive list to a general policy requirement for loan purposes that can be funded with proceeds of foreign currency loans. FX transactions need only be legitimate, not contrary to laws, regulations, public order, public safety, or public policy.
3. Lifting of BSP registration for certain short-term private sector loans, provided these are duly reported to BSP.
4. Lifting of the USD 60,000.00 Daily limit on FX sale by depository banks for the balance of peso deposit accounts of non-residents.
5. Migration to electronic submission of supporting documents, from previous hard copy requirement.
6. Broadened coverage of inward investment transactions from previous two (2) categories: foreign direct investments and portfolio investments, to three (3) new categories, namely: instruments issued by residents, non-residents, and other forms of investments.
7. Expansion of the list of banks allowed to register investments on behalf of BSP.
8. Provision of a grace period of one (1) year from effectivity of the implementing Circular to file applications for registration of investments, regardless of the date of funding.

BSP underscores that these reforms are significant leaps that will allow foreign investors, public and private entities, and overseas Filipinos to have more flexibility in managing their foreign currency transactions and investments.

However, BSP despite its continuing efforts to further liberalize FX regulations, the banks may still adopt internal policies and are expected to exercise due diligence in compliance with these amendments. –EPV

The Department of Tourism (DOT) in collaboration with Go Negosyo and other partners like the  ASEAN Business Advisory Council, Department of Foreign Affairs, Tourism Board of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry , conducted the country’s First National Tourism Summit last 02 May 2019 held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

The summit focused on how to create a more integrated tourism industry not just in the Philippines, but across the ASEAN region. The goal is to achieve sustainable island tourism that will contribute to the socio-economic growth of the region. Speakers and experts from different countries shared their insights and best practices on how to achieve this goal.

As such, the country’s tourism industry was identified as one of the pillars for greater inclusive growth. The DOT is confident that there will be around 8.2 million tourists this year; a 15% increase from last year’s 7.1. million tourists. This signals an increased demand for products and services, which can be supplied by our entrepreneurs from different sectors, thus, contributing livelihood and sustainable income for more Filipinos.

As an inclusive sector, tourism extends not just to the services provided by airlines and travel agencies, but includes other industries such as culinary, retail, transportation, logistics, medical and agriculture. As tourism booms, more and more businesses can flourish and cater to the growing needs of travelers. Indeed, a boost in tourism is a boost in our economy- more tourists, more of the much needed revenue for the economy.

Hence, all kinds of businesses, whether micro, small or medium will gain from the sector’s inclusivity, including those in far flung tourist spots in the country. More diverse products, services as well as culture will be offered from these beautiful places in and around the country. GTM

PHILEXPORT Region 3 (Pampanga Chapter) now endorses Travel Tax Exemption (TTE) applications of its members in Region 3 (Central Luzon). To facilitate the processing of TTE applications, the Technical Working Group on EO 589 approved the request of PHILEXPORT-NATIONAL for the additional signatories of its chapter in Pampanga.  PHILEXPORT-R03 now endorses TTE applications directly to the Export Development Council which monitors and oversees the implementation of the Executive Order.

Exporters who will travel abroad to participate in international trade fairs and exhibitions, promotion and marketing activities of Philippine export products  can avail the  TTE incentives under EO 589.

Region 3 Exporters may download TTE application form at the EDC website (www.edc.net.ph) and submit  to PHILEXPORT R03 at Deco Central, Bldg., N3679 C.M. Recto Highway, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. Telephone numbers (045)599.6214/ 599.5170  Mobile No. 0917.6214758 or email at philexportr3@yahoo.com