Industry group schedules seminars to help firms strengthen exports

THE umbrella organization of exporters in Central Visayas has prepared training and coaching activities this year for businesses to strengthen their ventures and widen their market.

In a strategy planning for Export Training and Coaching Center (ETCC) held last Jan. 28 at the Quest Hotel in Cebu City, Philippine Export (PhilExport) Cebu came up with 25 to 30 seminars and workshops for 2013 to improve the exports capability of local businesses, especially new PhilExport members.

PhilExport executive director Fred Escalona said their plan is part of the group’s advocacy to equip local exporters and businesses to become export fit and ready.

The seminars and workshops this year will cover the basics of exporting, process control, value chain analysis, strategies on finding new buyers, new market penetration and growth and profit strategies.

PhilExport’s ETCC started in 2007 with services directed towards export industry sectors, particularly small and medium enterprises.

The strategy planning last month also aimed to revive interests on ETCC’s pool of 40 consultants as many of them are becoming inactive due to other engagements.

These experts are from different disciplines such as banking, quality and human resource management, engineering, telecommunications and trade facilitation.

They underwent a six-month export marketing program conducted by PhilExport Cebu with the Center for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries or CBI Netherlands, a Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs agency.

Escalona said majority of the consultants expressed interest to renew their commitments.

Escalona pointed out that PhilExport interventions like ETCC seminars and workshops are needed to boost traditional and emerging export industries in the country, which include machinery, electronics, furniture, fashion accessories, gifts, toys, housewares, seaweed, food, garments and industrial goods.

Escalona said that food, machinery, home decors and abaca fiber industries are picking up in the market.

The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) reported that Philippine exports went up 16.5 percent in December 2012, the highest growth in merchandise exports in East and Southeast Asia.

For the full-year 2012, export earnings grew 7.6 percent, ending with a total of $4 billion.

Escalona said he is confident the Philippines is in a favorable position this year for its export industry to take off until it recovers in 2014.

Escalona said the Philippines, in order to deal with the tough global economy, should diversify its market, instead of concentrating on power countries.