Organized by DTI Region 2 Office and Quirino Provincial Office, the activity focused on Doing Business in Free Trade Areas; Doing Business with the EU using Generalized Scheme of Preference Plus (GSP+); and Doing Business with the United States and Canada.

 

A total of 106 participants actively participated during the activity which were comprised of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), local government units (LGUs), government agencies and other public and private organizations.

 

The activity underscored the benefits that can be availed of from the various free trade agreements (FTAs) the Philippines has signed with its trade partners worldwide.  Topics presented were various product categories enjoying zero tariff and products with very low duties which the local manufacturers can produce and export to the different countries or geographical regions the country has signed FTAs with.

 

The DTI also likewise presented the unique requirements, product needs and opportunities that these countries or geographical regions require that local manufacturers can explore.

 

MSMEs were also identified to be assisted under the Regional Interactive Platform for Philippine Exporters (RIPPLES), a partnership program of EMB with the Department of Trade and Industry-Regional Operations Development Group’s (ROG) Export Pathways Program.  It will enable DTI Region 2 Office and Quirino Provincial Office to handhold potential exporters through capacity building trainings and provide direct interventions to potential and existing exporters in terms of product designs, market info seminars, compliance with market requirements and export marketing activities.