In a recent seminar co-organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the ASEAN Japan Center (AJC) entitled “Changing Trade and Investment Landscape in ASEAN and the Philippines”, DTI Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado cited the importance of global value chains and non-equity mode (NEM) in the growth of Philippine exports.

“NEM is of particular importance to the country given our participation to activities such as IT-BPO, international subcontracting, franchising and licensing among others,” said Terrado.

Meanwhile, global value chains for international production translate to the different stages of the production process across different countries. This allows outsourcing and offshoring of activities of many multinational enterprises (MNEs).

AJC Secretary General Masataka Fujita and Dr. Chie Iguchi from Keio University led the presentation of three (3) AJC-initiated papers namely, “Global Value Chains in ASEAN: A Regional Perspective”; “Global Value Chains in ASEAN: The Philippines”; and “Non-Equity Modes of Trade in ASEAN: The Philippines.”

The papers provide valuable perspectives on the strategic importance of participation in global and regional value chains as ASEAN member states maximize opportunities and benefits of economic integration while recognizing differences in economic development and industrial policies, and the growing threat of protectionism.

To further substantiate the initial findings in the paper, interactive dialogues were conducted between AJC and a panel of discussants including Ambassador of Myanmar to the Philippines H.E. U Win Naing, First Secretary Jenni McEwin of the Australian Embassy in the Philippines and Director Senen M. Perlada of the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau. Meanwhile, representatives from the academe include Dr. Joseph T. Yap, Dr. Ramon L. Clarete of the University of the Philippines School of Economics, Dr. Francis Mark A. Quimba of the Philippine Institute of Development Studies, and private sector representative, Executive Director Penny S. Bongato of the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).

More than 150 representatives from government, industry, and think tanks participated in said seminar.♦

In photo (from left to right): DTI Export Marketing Director Senen M. Perlada, Dr. Chie Iguchi from Keio University, Executive Director Penny S. Bongato of IBPAP, AJC Secretary General Masataka Fujita, DTI Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado, Mr. Shozo Suzuki,  Investment and EPA Advisor JETRO, Dr. Ramon L. Clarete of the University of the Philippines School of Economics, Dr. Francis Mark A. Quimba of the Philippine Institute of Development Studies and First Secretary Jenni McEwin of the Australian Embassy in the Philippines.

In photo (from left to right): His Excellency U Win Naing, Ambassador of Myanmar to the Philippines, AJC Secretary General Masataka Fujita, First Secretary Jenni McEwin of the Australian Embassy in the Philippines, Dr. Joseph T. Yap of the University of the Philippines School of Economics, and Dr. Francis Mark A. Quimba of the Philippine Institute of Development Studies.