By Gliceria N. Cademia

Conclusion

THE RIPPLES program is anchored in PEDP Strategy­ 1. The key export sectors of services are IT-BPM sectors (software development, animation and game); technical and trade-related, computer and information services; engineering services out- sourcing; and other business services.

The RIPPLES is designed to increase exports and investments, and intensify small and medium enterprise (SMEs) development efforts. The objectives are to expand the supply base of internationally competitive Philippine export products and services by extending strategic firm level interventions to participating companies to make them export ready and/or enhance their export capacity and competitiveness and to establish and maintain a database of exporters/manufacturers all over the country through National Exporters Profiling Program (NEPP).

The RIPPLES has export performance pathways (EPP) for EMB to provide intervention. In level 1 (handholding of company), companies enrolled should have a production capacity and already establish domestic presence and are committed to support EMBRIPPLES program until such time they reach export readiness (Level 4) or expand their export capability and sales (Level 7).

The DTI Regional Operations Group (ROG), EMB, Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) and Center for International Trade Exposition and Mission (Citem) work collaboratively to strategize export promotion, monitor local supply chain and render capacity building and training.

The four EMB modes of intervention are 1) training and capacity building; 2) investment marketing and promotion; 3) support for innovation product development and design; and 4) market access facilitation through MRAs and consultation.

Participants of the info session were informed that EMB can provide free seminars relative to these modes like seminars on ISO certification, market access, legal requirements of specific markets and other export-related topics. The DTI in coordination with collaborating agencies is already crafting 2017-2022 PEDP. The main goal is to make 1,000 companies to become millionaire in five years through exports.

Tradeline Philippines

TRADELINE Philippines is a platform for Philippine exporters to develop capability for the global market. Its web site, tradelinephilippines.dti.gov.ph, is a gateway on Philippine trade statistics, market and product information, supplier and buyer databases, online business matching, export marketing programs, export news and other trade-related information. Its objectives are to be the repository of all export-related transactions and to be a one-stop shop for Philippine would- be exporters and exporters. It is envisioned to become the most accessed trade reference system in the country and to be an online facility that allows dissemination to both internal and external customers, with interactive features on trade statistics and business matching. The main component is a business-matching system that provides exporters Web presence to allow business matching with foreign clients and exporters.

Outbound business-matching mission to Dubai

THE EMB presented the planned Philippine participation of RIPPLES enrollees in The Big 5 International Building and Construction Show from November 26 to 29, 2017, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The OBMM is a promotional model in response to the call for focused aggressive promotional strategy for exportable sectors like construction services, or any sector with strong potential for selected international markets with identified business opportunities and the capacity to provide identified services.

Dubai was chosen since it won the bid to host the most awaited World Expo 2020, expected to boost its economy and create over 270,000 jobs. The federation is also expected to remain politically stable in 2017-2021 and its GDP growth to strengthen from 2017, prioritizing economic diversification in order to promote non-oil growth.

The International Building and Construction Show is the biggest construction event in the Middle East featuring over 3,000 exhibitors from across the globe and access to thou- sands of buyers looking for construction products and services. •