DTI delegation led by Assistant Secretary Gepty calls for extension of GSP+ as PH reinforces commitment
The Philippine
Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Brussels headed by Commercial Counsellor
Magnolia Misolas-Ashley and the Bureau of International Trade Relations (BITR)
led by Assistant Secretary Allan Gepty, embarked on a series of meetings in
Brussels as part of the Philippines’ European Union Generalized System of
Preference Plus (EU-GSP+) engagement. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) was
represented by the Philippine Embassy in Brussels while the Department of Labor
and Employment (DOLE), Presidential Commission on Human Rights (PHRCS), and Department
of Justice (DOJ) participated virtually. The week-long mission served as an
opportunity to engage in dialogue and build relations with EU institutions and European
stakeholders. The conversations also enabled the Philippines to convey positive
messages that reinforced its commitment on the scheme, underscored the benefits
and opportunities the GSP+ provides, and discussed how to further strengthen
PH-EU trade relations.
The EU ranked as
the Philippines’ fourth largest trading partner, while the Philippines was the
EU’s sixth largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asia Nations
(ASEAN) in 2019. Trade in goods between the two partners equaled € 16 billion
in 2021 while bilateral trade in services between the EU and the Philippines
reached € 3.9 billion in 2019. The Philippines continues to benefit from the
GSP+ trade preference with a utilization rate of 75% in 2021. In the same year,
25% of total Philippine exports to the EU (almost 2 billion euros) enjoyed preferential
treatment under the GSP preferential trade preference.
Commercial Counsellor Magnolia Ashley (middle) together with Chargé d’affaires Pablito Mendoza (third from left) and First Secretary Susana Mendiola (far left) welcomed Assistant Secretary Allan Gepty (second from left), Ms. Irish Tongohan (second from right), and Ms. Lattice Adriano (far right) of the DTI Bureau of International Trade Relations to Brussels for a series of meetings with the European Commission, European Parliament, European Council, and business sector.
The Philippine delegation led by Assistant Secretary Allan Gepty (fourth from right), together with Chargé d’affaires Pablito Mendoza (middle), and Commercial Counsellor Magnolia Ashley (second from right) met officials of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Trade – Director Christopher Payot of the Trade Policy division, and Mr. Jean de Lannoy, desk officer for the Philippines.
The Philippine delegation led by Assistant Secretary Allan Gepty (fourth from right), together with Chargé d’affaires Pablito Mendoza (middle) and Commercial Counsellor Magnolia Ashley (second from right) met with officials of the Permanent Representation of Czechia, the current EU Council President for the period 1 July – 31 December 2022. The Council of the European Union (or the Council) represents the 27 member states’ governments in relations with the Commission and the European Parliament. Its role is to try and reach an agreement on legislative files through trialogues, informal negotiation meetings, and Conciliation Committee meetings.
Asec Gepty presenting the special edition Philippine bean-to-bar chocolate using cacao beans by Auro and mango, calamansi, and coconut fillings by The Fruit Garden and Pili and Pino.
The Philippine delegation led by Assistant Secretary Allan Gepty (fourth from right), together with Chargé d’affaires Pablito Mendoza (second from left) and Commercial Counsellor Magnolia Ashley (second from left) met Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and EU GSP Standing Rapporteur Emmanouil Fragkos.
The Philippine delegation was privileged to have met with the Vice President of the European Parliament, Ms. Heidi Hautala. She also serves as the Standing Rapporteur for the new EU GSP Scheme and ASEAN. Assistant Secretary Allan Gepty presents the special edition Philippine bean-to-bar chocolate together with Commercial Counsellor Magnolia Ashley.
The Philippine delegation led by Assistant Secretary Allan Gepty (third from left), together with Chargé d’affaires Pablito Mendoza (middle) and Commercial Counsellor Magnolia Ashley (second from right) met with officials of the Permanent Representation of Sweden, the forthcoming EU Council President on 1 January 2023 to 31 July 2023.
The Philippine delegation led by Assistant Secretary Allan Gepty (fourth from right), and Commercial Counsellor Magnolia Ashley (second from right) met with officials of DG Taxud to discuss rules of origin derogation under the EU GSP.
On 2 September, the Philippine delegation led by Assistant Secretary Allan Gepty (third from left), and Commercial Counsellor Magnolia Ashley (third from right) met with officials of DG Employment to clarify labor-related issues from the last GSP Monitoring Mission. Undersecretary Benjo Bitonio of the Department of Labor and Employment participated in the meeting virtually.
BusinessEurope represents enterprises of all sizes in the European Union (EU) and seven non-EU European countries. Based in Brussels, it is officially recognized as a social partner at European leve and is involved in a range of economic and social decisions and cooperates with a number of stakeholders and business partners. BusinessEurope is considered as the strongest interest organization in Brussels and represents 20 million companies through its member trade associations in 35 European countries. The Philippine delegation met with Deputy Director General Luisa Santos (middle) and Senior Advisor Sofia Bournou (third from right).
PTIC-Brussels and BITR officials held coordination meetings with international trade lawyers based in Brussels namely, Sidley and FratiniVergano.
