The Department of Trade & Industry inked a partnership with Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. , and Silliman University for the effective collaboration on Doing Business in Free Trade Areas for local entrepreneurs.
DTI, NOCCI and SU formally signed the MOU Wednesday to signify their support for an educational campaign among businesses and students on the benefits of Free Trade Agreements, and how to apply tariff rates for specific products.
Bureau of Export Trade Promotion Senen Perlada of DTI said that while the Philippines is already implementing a number of FTAs, it was observed that many local businessmen have not been able to take full advantage of them.
Perlada said DTI is conducting the campaign to improve the utilization of FTAs and to assist and expand the export performance in the province as well as in the country.
SU representative Cleonico Fontelo expressed his support in the business undertakings with DTI as part of SU’s continuing education to make the students aware on DBFTA through feasibility studies and incorporate them in the curriculum.
For his part, Edward Du of NOCCI encouraged the existing local exporters in sugar and food industries in Negros Oriental to avail of the opportunity presented by FTAs, particularly on products with reduced tariffs under existing agreements.
The Philippine Trade Training Center in cooperation with NOCCI scheduled a series of trainings for stakeholders in the province to increase awareness as well as expand the program on the benefits and procedures for availment of FTA. (PIA)
