PECP provides guidelines for trading companies to conduct correct export procedures
Business Mirror
August 9, 2016
THROUGH its initiative in reaching out to local exporters and traders, the Department of Industry’s Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) welcomed representatives of trading companies on July 28 at its headquarters for a seminar about export services.
The seminar was conducted under the DTI-EMB’s Philippine Export Competitive Program (PECP) and has two sessions.
Speakers for the first session were Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist (STIDS) of DTI-EMB Marilyn T. Gregorio, who discussed the guidelines of EMB services; and Trade and Industry Development Specialist of DTI-EMB Franclem Pena for the overview of export procedures.
STIDS for the Bureau of Internal Trade Relations of DTI-EMB Cheska C. Enriquez discussed the Asean free-trade agreements and the self-certification scheme, while Bureau of Customs (BOC) Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group Head Vincent C. Maronilla explained the accreditation process for certified exporters.
“For this seminar, we invite companies from the top 100 exporters in the Philippines because we are now doing targeted consultations, compared before when we went to different places and talked to chambers and business councils,” Enriquez told the BusinessMirror.
She added, “We have adjusted our way of reaching out to small companies. In the first seminar, we conducted using this new tack, we realized that we covered only a very small portion of small companies. We now invite more companies for our seminars.”
The speakers made it easy for the attendees to understand the topics through examples and graphs, and consecutively answering the queries.
They also distributed important forms and materials with guidelines, for the exporters to understand more clearly the requirements in applying for different certificates and clearances needed for the export industry.
Participants to the seminar said reaching out to them is a big help for the exporters, as they can voice out their concerns, comments and suggestions on how to improve the government’s services—in making it easier and less expensive to import to other countries.
“The process for domestic application is faster than before. Because now, the Bureau of Customs is familiarizing the participants with procedures. The approval time was lessened to seven days compared to over a month before for just the accreditation,” Enriquez said.
She said the required documents in applying for accreditation, certificates and clearance were also lessened. She added that the BOC is now reviewing its regulations in reducing the required criteria for exporters.
In addition, the exporters also share their experiences about trading in other countries and the problem they usually encounter, especially on the delay and the expenses they encounter.
For the next session, Enriquez said, “We will be handling and encouraging the micro, small and medium enterprises, and the small and medium enterprise champions to attend the seminar.”
The DTI-EMB’s seminar is held every second and last Thursday of the month at the DTI International Building, 375 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City.□