New export plan to be launched at NEC

EXPORT stakeholders will meet on December 7 to discuss ways to implement a new export plan that aims to expand demand for exports and ease supply side constraints to expansion as they continue to face challenges, especially amid the lingering pandemic.

The administration’s Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) for 2023 to 2028 is targeted be launched during the National Export Congress (NEC) at the Philippine International Convention Center, which is the culminating activity of the yearly celebration of the National Exporters’ Week (NEW).

“The next Philippine Export Development Plan is more aggressive, highlighting technology and stronger collaborations toward innovation, skills upgrading and integration to help counter the negative impacts of issues such as red tape, supply chain disruptions, increasing business costs, climate change and other challenges,” Sergio Ortiz Luis Jr., Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) president, said.

The new PEDP aims to transform the Philippines from an exporter of commodities and intermediate goods to an exporter of high-value products and services.

It is eyed to take an industry development-centric approach to boost export competitiveness by attracting export-oriented investments in innovation-driven sectors to increase product and service diversification.

During their keynote address, Ortiz-Luis will tackle leveraging on private-public partnership while Trade Secretary and Export Development Council (EDC) Chairman Alfredo Pascual will talk about pursuing an industry development-centric approach to export growth, sustainability and competitiveness.

“The thematic discussions and activities during 2022 NEW aims to capacitate Philippine exporters, particularly MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) as they go through their exporting journey from developing their products and services, creating their marketing and promotion strategies, and delivering to their customers,” Glenn Peñaranda, Trade promotions group assistant secretary, said.

Economist and Brain Trust Inc. Chairman Cielito Habito, leader of the PEDP planning facilitation team, will present the new export plan during this year’s NEC.

National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Agriculture Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla have been invited to participate in the panel reaction.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is also expected to deliver the keynote address “Export as the Economic Lynchpin” at the event.

The EDC Council is scheduled to usher the signing of the statement of commitment to implement the PEDP 2023 to 2028.

Topics for discussion sessions at the congress are The International Trading Environment: Current Landscape, Opportunities and Prospects; International Trade Policies: Why and How They Matter for Exports; and Legislative Agenda: Toward Recovery, Inclusion and Economic Development.

The theme for this year’s NEW will focus on paving the way toward “Exporting Breakthroughs.” This theme underscores the need to harness experience, expertise and knowledge of both public and private stakeholders in international trade to build on our competitive advantage, gain flexibility and resilience, and cultivate a competitive mindset among all stakeholders to achieve/ realize exporting breakthroughs.