Cordillera formulates business road maps for global trade

BAGUIO City — The Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) has drawn up industry road maps to maximize opportunities from economic blocs like the Asean Economic Community and European Union.

The road map forum was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Board of Investments (BOI).

DTI - CAR regional director Myrna Pablo said similar forums are being held to facilitate development of local roadmaps.

“What has been highlighted as the forum moves from one region to another is the need for all of us in government, industry associations, the academe, civil society and other stakeholders to engage in industrial cooperation and partnership in order to equip us better to face the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities from AEC,” Pablo said.

She urged local participants to strengthen private public partnerships. The region is initially formulating the road map for coffee and processed vegetables and fruits, she said.

“Together, we are building capacities to take advantage of the ASEAN Economic Community and tariff - free entry of more than 6000 products in the European market,” Industry Development Assistant Secretary Rafaelita Aldaba said.

To maximize the opportunities in AEC and the European Union, Aldaba said the country should constantly improve efforts to enhance global competitiveness, Aldaba added.

The AEC seeks to create a single market and a single production base within the ASEAN region, and become fully integrated with the global market.

Since January 2010, 99.65 percent of goods have been traded at zero tariff in ASEAN. Very few products remain protected by tariffs within ASEAN.

In the Philippines, these are primarily agricultural products including rice, sugar, cassava and sweet potatoes, maize, chicken and swine. The AEC, in the medium- to long-term, promises vast opportunities and strong growth potentials for the country.