Makati City — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched the Philippine E-Commerce Roadmap 2016-2020, as well as the e-commerce.gov.ph website last 2 February 2. Over 150 industry stakeholders and officials/representatives from government agencies participated in the event.
The roadmap is the Philippines’ first on e-commerce, and the DTI expects renewed and reinvigorated collaboration between the government and the private sector to fully accelerate the growth of Philippine e-commerce – one that is globally competitive and integrated.
The roadmap’s main objective is to contribute 25% to the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) by 2020 (from 10% in 2015 based on estimates made by iMetrics Asia Pacific Corporation). The country’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which make up 99.6% of Philippine enterprises, will largely benefit from this initiative. By participating and engaging in e-commerce programs and projects, Philippine MSMEs can become globally competitive.
Keynoting the event were Trade Secretary Adrian S. Cristobal, Jr. and Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship Chairman Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV; with trade undersecretaries Prudencio M. Reyes, Jr. and Nora K. Terrado opening and closing the event.
Director Maria Lourdes A. Yaptinchay of the DTI’s Sector Planning Bureau/E-Commerce Office introduced the roadmap AVP, and presented the next steps that need to be done until 2020.
DigitalFilipino.com site owner and Philippine e-commerce advocate Janette C. Toral moderated the panel discussion, which guested BSP Deputy Governor Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr., DOST-Information and Communications Technology Office Deputy Executive Director Monchito B. Ibrahim, Digital Commerce Association of the Philippines President Bjorn Pardo, and Director Yaptinchay.
The PECR 2016-2020 presents the Philippines’ strategic plans, policies, and other support measures to harness the benefits of e-commerce for the country. Its action plan is based on key areas highlighted in the APEC Digital Prosperity Checklist.
It is intended to be a living document that will be continuously updated through regular stakeholder consultations to draw up strategies befitting current and timely issues and concerns. Ultimately, through this roadmap, more home-grown Philippine enterprises can directly access the global market or be integrated in global value chain, enabling further access to larger foreign markets.