Exporters lay down agenda for next president

Exporters want the incoming administration to put in place an annual export fund and amend the mandate of the Philippine central bank to help the sector.

In a statement, Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. president, said an Export Support Fund (ESF) “under the new administration could be tacked into the yearly regular budget of the Department of Trade and Industry [DTI] to cover specific programs and projects of the EDC [Export Development Council] for export promotions and development.”

The current ESF is a one-time fund allotted by the Arroyo administration two years ago in a bid to aid exporters amid the global financial crisis.

“The institutionalized ESF would be the resource that will regularly fuel the implementation of the Philippine Export Development Plan that EDC, DTI and the private sector prepare every three years,” Ortiz-Luis said.

Also, Ortiz-Luis said the next administration should tweak the mandate of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas so that it would “make the exchange rate policy a weapon in speeding up and sustaining economic growth and development, not just a tool at reining in inflation.”

Small exporters, who mostly use indigenous materials, have complained about the recent strength of the peso against the US dollar.

Ortiz-Luis said the next President should also find ways to reduce the high cost of power and of domestic shipping and port handling.

He said the new government should also get rid of the “hidden costs” paid for when applying for business permits.

In their ‘Doing Business 2010″ report, the World Bank and the International Finance Corp. said the Philippine ranking in terms of ease of doing business fell three notches to 144th spot from 141st the previous year.

The Philippines lagged behind Thailand, which ranked 12th; Malaysia, 23rd; Vietnam, 93rd; Indonesia, 122nd; and Singapore, 1st.

The Philippines scored low in terms of starting a business, closing a business, paying taxes, protecting investors, getting credit, enforcing contracts, employing workers, dealing with construction payments, and registering property. –BEN ARNOLD O. DE VERA Reporter, Manila Times