Trade policies are one of the tools used to pursue industry competitiveness. In January 2012, the DTI formally launched the program for the conduct of industry development roadmaps, culminating in a Comprehensive National Industry Strategy. The on-going process of developing industry roadmaps is private sector-driven (i.e. private sector takes the lead in both crafting and driving the action), with the DTI serving as a catalyst, facilitator and an “enabler.” However, government will take the lead in consolidating and integrating the roadmaps into a national strategy—identifying gaps and attracting investments into key projects. A total of 27 industry competitiveness roadmaps are foreseen, along with a Manufacturing industry plan.

 

Overall, the objectives of the Industry Roadmap Project are to:

The industry strategy will intersect with trade policy and provide a platform for sectoral negotiating positions in pursuit of medium- and long-term competitiveness-based generation of jobs and incomes.

---

 

The Comprehensive National Industrial Strategy (CNIS) will link and integrate manufacturing, agriculture and services; address supply chain gaps; and deepen industry participation in global value chains. Strategic actions include human resource development; SME development; innovation and R&D activities; green industries; aggressive promotion and marketing programs; infrastructure investments to address the high cost of power, logistics and shipping; and streamlining and automation of government procedures and regulations affecting business operations

---

To complement the policy initiatives of the IDG, efforts to improve the business environment were pursued by simplifying regulatory procedures.

 

In particular, the DTI reduced the business registration processes through the Nationwide Streamlining of Business Permits and Licensing Systems (BPLS). In 2015, the process took 16 steps and 29 days. In 2016, the process involves 6 steps and 8 days. The BPLS was implemented in 2011 to improve business licensing procedures.

 

On the regional level, the DTI has initiated the Inter-Agency Business Process Interoperability (IABPI) to streamline and fully automate export and import procedures.

---

Since 2012, the DTI-IDG has focused on a new industrial policy to create more and higher quality jobs and attain sustainable and inclusive growth. Its new industrial policy would enable the country to maximize the trade and investment opportunities from the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and address the challenges arising from it.

 

Through the new industrial policy, the IDG aims to create the proper environment and strengthen Philippine industries in order for them to become globally competitive. With the private sector as the major driver of growth, the government acts as coordinator and facilitator to implement policies and necessary support measures to address the obstacles to the entry and growth of domestic firms.

---

In pursuit of the Philippine government’s goal of achieving inclusive growth, the Department of Trade and Industry is implementing the Manufacturing Resurgence Program (MRP). The MRP aims to rebuild the existing capacity of industries, strengthen new ones, and maintain the competitiveness of industries with comparative advantage. It also seeks to build-up agriculture-based manufacturing industries that generate employment, and support small-holder farmers and agri-cooperatives through product development, value-adding, and integration to big enterprises for marketing and financing purposes.