MANILA, PHILIPPINES– The Philippine Trade Training Center-Global MSME Academy (PTTC-GMEA) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide training modules for Filipino exporters.
The collaboration between PTTC-GMEA and ITC aims to equip Filipino exporters with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the global market. With the modules developed by ITC and PTTC-GMEA, Filipino exporters will have a better understanding of the intricacies of the European Union market, reducing cross-border inefficiency, and complying with export regulations.
The modules will cover various topics, including Rules of International Trade, Working with Freight Forwarders, Exporting Food from the Philippines to the European Union – regulations, certification, export strategies, Reducing Cross-border Inefficiency, Rules of Origin for Filipino Exporters, and The Pro Forma Invoice.
“The EU is an important market of the Philippines. It is imperative that the Filipino sellers know the EU market intricacies, and these modules that ITC and PTTC will co-develop and offer will help put our exporters to an advantage,” said PTTC-GMEA Executive Director Nelly Nita N. Dillera.
Filipino exporters play a significant role in the country’s economy, particularly in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. The Philippine Statistics Authority reports that MSMEs account for over 99% of the total business establishments in the country and employ around 63% of the total workforce.
The virtual MoU signing was held on February 27, 2023, and was attended by PTTC-GMEA and ITC officials, as well as representatives from the government and the private sector. With this collaboration between PTTC-GMEA and ITC, Filipino exporters will have access to training and guidance that will help them navigate the global market and compete more effectively.
This partnership is expected to provide a significant boost to the growth and development of the MSME sector in the Philippines. This cooperation is pledged within the framework of the ARISE Plus Philippines, which is a project of the Government of the Philippines, with the Department of Trade and Industry as lead partner together with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Bureau of Customs, the Department of Science and Technology, as well as the private sector.
It is funded by the EU with the International Trade Centre (ITC) as the technical agency for the project. It is enabling Philippine exporters to take advantage of European Union (EU) market access and the trade privileges granted under the Generalized System of Preference (GSP+). It supports the overall EU-Philippines trade relationship and trade-related policies.*
Date of release: 09 March 2023