EPP contributes 36% of total exports in Davao

THE Export Pathways Program (EPP) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao Region fared well last year and even contributed more than a quarter of the entire exports figure generated from the agency's initiated interventions.

The EPP was piloted by DTI-Davao in 2006 in a bid to provide a package of tailored-fit assistance for a specific micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) at a given stage of their business. With the program's success in the region, the DTI head office adopted it and had it implemented in other regions.

Based on the agency's report, its initiatives on market promotion and facilitation resulted in total export sales of US$81.86 million from January to November 2012. Of the said total export sales, 36 percent was contributed by the EPP.

The same report revealed that the accomplishment is 34 percent beyond the annual target of US$61 million, and 52 percent higher than the same period of last year's achievement.

Furthermore, the EPP also augured P149 million worth of investments, generated 9,049 jobs, developed 15 new exporters, and enlisted a total of 31 enrollees.

DTI-Davao Director Marizon Loreto said the program has really been very helpful for the agency to hit its targets, not just in exports.

"The EPP has been one of DTI-Davao Region's successful strategies. Well, it couldn't have been adopted for implementation in other regions if it has not been a helpful mechanism in Davao," she said.

Since the start of EPP implementation, it has already assisted 346 MSMEs. Of the said figure, 57 have moved to the fifth step, which is the Market Entry Stage, while six are already in the Export Sustainability Stage.

"With this, we can gauge that the MSMEs that we are nurturing are indeed advancing to a higher level, from just focusing on the domestic market to exploring the international trading arena," she said.

For this year, DTI-Davao is optimistic about raking in more benefits from the EPP.

"We are likewise finding some other strategies that will complement the EPP so that we can maximize its benefits," she said.