PH exporters urged to tap opportunities in free trade agreements

MANILA, Philippines— Philippine exporters are urged to tap existing free trade agreements (FTAs) in striking new business partnerships with prospective foreign companies and in further expanding their markets abroad.

“Our exporters have come to realize that they have much to gain by taking advantage of these FTAs to strengthen their competitiveness. A change in traditional or conventional mindset will help them compete in the global economy,” said Trade Secretary Gregory L. Domingo in a statement.

Currently, the Philippines has FTAs with member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, and Korea.

“Knowing the market entry strategies under these FTAs will help our exporters substantially improve their market position and leverage on increasing opportunities,” added Trade Undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal, Jr.

To help local exporters, the Philippine government—through the Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Customs and the Tariff Commission—and industry groups namely Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Philippine Exporters Confederation (Philexport), are currently holding an information campaign to increase awareness of FTAs and generate more business for the export market.

“Understanding these FTAs will be very helpful in striking new business partnerships with our FTA markets,” said Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr., president of the Philexport.

“The export sector has been most resilient, and with sustained government-private sector partnership, it is the exporters’ goal to achieve sustainability with higher value-added for the local economy,” Ortiz-Luis explained.

Dubbed as the “Doing Business in Free Trade Areas,” the seminar series are expected to inform exporters on how to sell their products to countries where the Philippines has existing FTAs. These seminars will also help the local exporters navigate their way through the various procedures that would qualify them for benefits under these FTAs.

Help desks had been set up by the DTI, BOC and the TC, which are assisting businessmen with specific queries on export procedures, tariff rates, and certificates of origin for products under FTAs.

“It is important to give our businessmen proper orientation on the forms and what FTAs they can utilize. Our negotiated and signed trade agreements will be nil and useless if businessmen will not use them,” said PCCI vice chair Donald Dee.

By 2020, Philippine products including processed food, apparel and furniture, will enjoy zero tariff to Australia and New Zealand.

For China, exporters can look into addressing demand for industrial raw materials, electronic parts and components, as well as consumer goods while for Japan, businessmen can expand into exporting resource and agro-based products, metals and glass, among others. –Amy R. Remo, Philippine Daily Inquirer