PH Merchandise Exports up in the Third Quarter – DTI

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) assessed that Philippine merchandise exports rose 0.3% year-on-year (yoy) in the third quarter of 2018, a positive turnaround following its 1.3% yoy decline in the second quarter and 5.5% yoy contraction in the first quarter of the year.

PH’s third-quarter merchandise export performance was largely driven by positive yoy growth in the country’s exports of manufactured goods—led by electronics—with increased exports to the United States (US), China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. In the third quarter, merchandise exports were up in July (+0.3% yoy) and also in August (+3.4% yoy) that combined outweighed its September’s fall (-2.6% yoy), which was partly induced by weakening of global manufacturing activity amid escalating trade tensions between US and China.

“The country’s merchandise export performance has been improving on a quarterly basis since the start of 2018. Its growth turned positive in the third quarter after registering negative growth in the first two quarters of the year,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.

Sec. Lopez added: “The PH government has long-term plans and roadmaps to help expand the country’s manufacturing and production base, and promote the diversification of merchandise exports. Through these policy initiatives and programs, merchandise exports will grow further and in turn will narrow the trade-in-goods deficit. We need to expand our manufacturing base to meet as well the growing domestic demand for both consumption goods and intermediate goods.  In the short-term, we are trying to address supply chain issues and maximizing whatever limited budget given to promote our exportables in foreign markets through trade fairs and expos like the recently held China International Import Exposition (CIIE) that contribute to increasing our export sales abroad.”

DTI Chief Promotes ASEAN Economic Integration: Joins ASEAN Ministers in Signing E-Commerce Agreement, in Enhancing Agreements on Services Trade and Investment

SINGAPORE — Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez joined other ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) at the Preparatory AEM Meeting and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council during 11-12 November in Singapore.

In this event, the ministers signed the ASEAN E-Commerce Agreement; announced the conclusion of the negotiations for the ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement (ATISA); and finalised the Fourth Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA).

Secretary Lopez noted two major benefits from the e-commerce agreement: “It has elements that provide protection and safeguards to consumers to build trust and confidence in e-commerce. Likewise, it facilitates more MSME access to the ASEAN market.”

Meanwhile, ATISA aims to deepen services sectors in ASEAN, while ACIA will help maintain the attractiveness of the region as an investment destination.

“ASEAN is on the drawing board to ‘future-proof’ the regional economy,” said DTI Secretary Lopez.

Among the other topics that were discussed include Global Value Chains (GVC), Innovation, Digital Economy, and 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR), among many others.

“A priority in our engagement in the AEC is to pursue the agenda on Inclusive Globalization. We can use our international and regional engagements as a tool to alleviate poverty and sustain our economic growth and development,” explained Sec. Lopez.

He added that ASEAN can play an important role in preserving a rules-based global trading order and provide the necessary boost to the world economy, amid the increasing threat of escalating trade tensions and continuing global uncertainties.

DTI CHIEF OPENS PH NATIONAL PAVILION IN CHINA EXPO

SHANGHAI – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez opened the Philippine (PH) National Pavilion at the China International Import Exposition (CIIE) on 6 November. This aims to improve the market access of PH products into China. CIIE runs from 5 to 10 November and features 3,000 exhibitors from 130 countries.

“The Philippines appreciates the Chinese government’s thrust to deepen its globalization commitment.  CIIE is China’s way of conveying to the world that it is ready to open more its market and encourage more exporters to China,” said the DTI Secretary, Sec. Lopez added: “It sends a strong signal to the world that China would also like to help balance trade with its trading partners as China believes in promoting globalization that's is more inclusive, to achieve the goal of having shared prosperity with other countries.”

The 136-square meter PH national pavilion, themed “Partner Philippines: Building Value Together,” showcases the country’s initiatives in trade, investment, and tourism. It features 10 partner government agencies and companies as well as 11 universities. These universities are promoting their undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as English as a Second Language (ESL).

Aside from the national pavilion, there are 36 booths in the Enterprise Zone featuring Filipino exhibitors: 28 for food, five for consumer goods (apparel, accessories and consumer goods, electronics, automobile, and information technology), and three for services (tourism and service outsourcing).

Sec. Lopez cited the close trade relations between PH and China. China is PH’s largest import partner at US$ 17.5 billion in 2017 and fourth-largest export market at US$ 8 billion in the same year.

Also present at the opening ceremonies were PH Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana, Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (MOFCOM) Trade Director General for Asian Affairs Peng Gang,  Former Commercial Counselor of China to the Philippines and MOFCOM Director General for Foreign Trade Development Bureau Wu Zhengping, Special Envoy to China Carlos Chan, DTI Undersecretary Nora Terrado, and DTI-CITEM Executive Director Pauline Juan.

The Philippine participation to the CIIE is spearheaded by the DTI, in cooperation with the following government and private sector partners: Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Tourism (DOT), the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Airlines, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Anvil business club, Philippine Franchise Association and the Integrated Development Studies Institute.