DTI boosts export industry in Region 2

By Leander C. Domingo

TUGUEGARAO CITY -- The Dept. of Trade and Industry in partnership with the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PhilExport) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) is bent on boosting the export industry in the region.
    DTI Region 2 Director Leah Ocampo said the DTI, PhilExport, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are fostering strong partnerships to champion the region's export industry.
    She said they have laid out plans and directions focusing on the strengths of the Cagayan Valley region, particularly in its positioning as one of the major raw material suppliers of industrial-form, preprocessed products such as flours, powders, purees, and dried goods.
    The Cagayan Valley region comprises the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and the island province of Batanes.
    Ocampo said the PhilExport with its overarching goal of strengthening the strategies for export development, should be more aggressive in assisting MSMEs, especially in participating in different local and national marketing activities.
    A nonstock, nonprofit private organization, PhilExport is the umbrella organization of Philippine exporters accredited under the Export Development Act of 1994.
    It was conceived out of the unification of the Philippine Exporters Foundation and the Confederation of Philippine Exporters in August 1992 and was mandated to strengthen the country's export industry through its export promotion and development programs.
    Thanking the DTI for its continuous assistance, Arturo Tabbu, PhilExport Region 2 president, emphasized the concept of consolidation as a solution to leveling up in terms of exporting in the agricultural sector.
    "We are encouraging MSMEs to respond actively to the vital programs of the government to further upgrade their products to meet national standards," Tabbu said.
    During a recent meeting led by the DTI, PhilExport and MSMEs, Ocampo expressed the agency's increased effort and approach to continuously upgrade MSMEs and assist with product development and certifications in its effort to boost export competitiveness.
    She said the highlights of the meeting focused on the significance of exports, the DTI Export Program for MSMEs, PhilExport Financial Reports, Committee Reports, Memberships, Plans and Programs, and the continuous implementation of its ongoing Trade Fair.
    Meanwhile, DTI Region 2 said mall-goers, buyers and resellers around the area can take advantage of getting high-quality products made by the local MSMEs in the region through PhilExport's 1st Regional In-Store Promotion.
    This promotion started in October 2022 and will run until March 2023 at the Lower Ground Floor of Robinsons Place Tuguegarao.