Exporters back Duterte economic team

The Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. ( Philexport) is confident the country’s export sector will be in good hands with the administration of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte.

Philexport president Sergio Ortiz- Luis Jr. said Duterte’s economic team is composed of competent and “some of the best people we had” during the administrations of former Presidents Fidel Ramos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

He said such kind of economic team would bode well for the economy, particularly for the export sector.

“Philippine exporters have expressed optimism about the incoming administration of Davao City Mayor Duterte, as they hope for continued support to help small businesses grow and sustain operations as well as boost other economic sectors,” the country’s largest export group said.

But even with this optimism, Philexport said it intends to continue pushing for initiatives to boost the country’s economy and exports.

Ortiz- Luis said a strong focus on supporting the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), agriculture, infrastructure, education, and tourism sectors is imperative to sustain economic growth.

To support the MSMEs which are regarded as the main engines for economic growth and employment, he underscored the need for higher government budget especially for export promotion, research and development and innovation, as well as measures to lower the cost of doing business and facilitating MSME financing.

Likewise, measures to eliminate red tape, implement computerization in government offices and review of laws and policies to repeal those that are irrelevant and harmful are needed to be pushed, Ortiz-Luis said.

As far as exports are concerned, Ortiz-Luis said Philexport urges the new administration to support the full implementation of the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) for 2015 to 2017.

The PEDP is a roadmap that sets the targets and strategies for the growth of the export industry. It has identified key strategies to achieve exports growth target of 6.6 percent to 8.8 percent to a high of $93.64 billion this year.

Part of the PEDP’s strategies in boosting exports include removing unnecessary regulatory impediments to the movement of goods and delivery of services, upgrading the quality and standards of export, raising the productivity and competitiveness of Philippine enterprises and improving exporters’ access to finance.