American garment buyers have placed an initial order of $35 million worth of garments following the filing of a bill in the US Congress that seeks to allow duty-free and preferential tariffs to locally-made garments into the US market.
Trade and Industry Undersecretary and Board of Investments managing head Elmer Hernandez said that new orders were trickling in following the filing of the 809 Apparel/Pilot Program, also known as the Save Our Industries Act, by Rep. Jim McDermott last June 25 before the US Congress.
“The initial order of $35 million is a sign of good faith that even if the bill was no yet passed, American garment buyers are starting to place orders,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez said the bill was expected to be passed within the end of the year or first quarter next year at the latest.
The industry expects additional exports of at least $300 million from the bill. The country averages $1 billion in annual exports of garments.
Hernandez said once passed, the bill would also open a lot of opportunities for textile manufacturing and foreign investors in the country.
Prospective investors are American and other nationalities engaged in textile manufacturing, who want to take advantage of supplying the huge market through the Philippines.
Under the 809 Apparel program, certain Philippine apparel will enter the US duty free. If the garment is made of US yarns, these are allowed to enter US at reduced tariff. A component of the program also provides duty-free entry to the US of certain Philippine apparel regardless of the source of fabric.
About 60 garment manufacturers have expressed interest to stage a comeback and expand operations in the country, with initial investments of about $480 million and additional exports of $1.1 billion, following the filing of the bill.
Major garment manufacturers, who are also members of the Confederation of Garment Exporters of the Philippines (Congep) and Garment Business Association of the Philippines (Gbap), revealed this during a press conference.
George Siy, Congep chairman emeritus, projected a smooth sailing for the bill noting that the Philippine team has already secured all the needed support in the US Congress and the American Apparel and Footwear Association. –Ayen Infante, Daily Tribune
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth
Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
Last Week of April – World Immunization Week
Daily Observances:
Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work
