The roadmaps of the gifts & houseware and holiday décor industries – the blueprints that will provide strategic directions leading to improved competitiveness and productivity of these two sectors – will be presented today (July 21, 2016) at the 16th Trade and Industry Development (TID) Updates, a multi-sector forum aimed at informing and updating various stakeholders on the industry development initiatives of the Board of Investments (BOI). 

“These two industries are unique in a sense that majority of the products under the sectors are handmade.  The Philippines is known in the world for its quality craftsmanship and now that the industry roadmaps for these sectors are ready for implementation, the industries will have a definitive strategic guide to recover and regain its lost market share, re-develop, and achieve sustained growth,” said Trade Assistant Secretary for Industry Development Dr. Rafaelita Aldaba. 
 
“We are pushing for these industries to be revitalized because these provide the much-needed employment in the regions. As entering the market of these industries require minimal capitalization, many startups venture into these industries, which are composed mostly of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These industry roadmaps will allow our MSMEs to participate in the value chain and in the vast ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) market,” Assistant Secretary Aldaba added.
                  
The AEC establishes a single market and production base with free movement of goods, services and investments across the 10 ASEAN member countries. To date, some 96 percent of goods traded intra-ASEAN enjoys zero duty.
 
Gifts & houseware and holiday decor fall under the bigger umbrella of the lifestyle industry.  Both industries are small sectors comprised mostly of MSMEs and, to a great extent, depend on processed agricultural crops and other industrial raw materials.
 
“What is more unique in the industries is the use of indigenous materials in the manufacture of products, which lend a Filipino touch to the articles produced,” noted Assistant Secretary Aldaba. 
 
Through the BOI’s Industry Roadmapping Project, the crafting of the industry roadmaps of the two sectors was prepared by the University of the Philippines’ Institute of Small Scale Industries (ISSI) on behalf of the industry players. The crafting was based on gathered primary and secondary data through survey questionnaires, focused group discussions, interview of experts, and workshops, including materials from the industry, academe and government.
 
Dr. Nestor Raneses, Assistant Vice President for Administration of the University of the Philippines Dilimanand Ms. Nova Navo of the Office of the Director of the UP ISSI will jointly present the roadmaps of the two sectors. There will also be reactions from panelists composed of Dr. Mina Gabor, former Department of Tourism Secretary and founder of the Trade Promotion Organization; Mr. Delfin Bibat, a passionate supporter of the industry, and Mr. Leonardo Rosete, Dean of the College of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines.  An open forum follows after the presentations and reactions.
 
A plaque of appreciation will also be given by the industry stakeholders represented by the Home Accents Group of the Philippines and PHILDDA to former Trade Secretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. in recognition of his valuable contribution towards the crafting of industry roadmaps. 
 
At the TID Updates, some of the industries’ works will also be showcased.  A bigger display and exhibit of these sectors meanwhile is currently running at the Glorietta Activity Center.
 
The Industry Roadmapping Project launched BOI’s strategic partnership with various industries and sectors in the development of industry roadmaps. The IRP involves the crafting and implementation of industry roadmaps that define its vision, goals, and targets (in the short, medium, and long term), assess the industry’s state and economic performance, identify the binding constraints to its growth, and recommend strategies for industry upgrading and development. The roadmaps are crafted and implemented by the industry in collaboration with the BOI and other concerned stakeholders.
 
To date, there are 40 sectoral roadmaps submitted to the BOI. Of these, 32 roadmaps have been completed and are currently being implemented or for implementation, while the rest are still subject to finalization.