DTI to hold forum for exporters

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2016/09/07/dti-hold-forum-exporters-496297
• Friday, September 9, 2016

By Jeandie O. Galolo

IN response to the weakening export industry, the Bureau of International Trade Relations (BITR) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced that it will consult with exporters in Cebu on Sept. 21.

DTI Cebu Trade Specialist Tessie Emphasis said the consultation intends to solicit inputs on the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the European Union (EU).

“We want to inform our exporters and let them know about the export opportunities in Europe,” Emphasis said, noting the export downtrend.

The topics to be discussed during the whole- day consultation at the Quest Hotel along Archbishop Reyes Ave. in Cebu City include strategy in exporting to Europe, the Philippines-European FTA, the EU Generalized Systems of Reference Plus (GSP+), market access, rules of origin, trade in services and investments, and intellectual property rights.

In June, merchandise exports fell 11.4 percent, its 15th straight month of decline. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) attributed this to weak demand from major export markets and the slow global economic recovery.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show total export receipts went down to $4.8 billion in June this year from $5.4 billion in the same month last year due to lower sales across commodity groups.

These include mineral products; machinery and transport equipment; other manufactures; chemicals; woodcrafts and furniture; ignition wiring set and other wiring sets used in vehicles, aircrafts and ships; electronic products; metal components; and coconut oil.