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Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Cebu metalworkers urged to sell goods to Thailand
Thailand's Commercial Attache Pansakdi Musik-lad is encouraging Cebu’s metalworking industry to promote its products to Thailand to meet the big demand for precision tools there.
In a meeting with members of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) at the Casino Español Thursday, he said Thailand is importing precision tools or cutting tools from Europe and the United States.
CCCI vice president for external affairs Ted Locson said some of these companies in Europe and the US are subcontracting the manufacturing of cutting tools in the Philippines.
“(If companies in Thailand will know that these products are made in the Philippines), they can import directly from the Philippines,” Pansakdi said.
In an earlier interview, Edson Mateo, president of the Metalworking Industries Association of the Philippines-Cebu, said local metalworkers supply firms at the Mactan Economic Zone (MEZ) with machine systems. But they cannot serve the other metal requirements of MEZ locators because of the lack of modern precision equipment to cut or shape metals.
He said skilled workers also routinely went overseas to seek greener pastures.
During the meeting, Thailand’s Pansakdi said Cebu could also export automotive and electronic parts, as well as fashion accessories, to Thailand.
He encouraged Cebua-nos, especially importers of Thai products, to take advantage of the low trade tariffs between the Philippines and Thailand because of the Asean Free Trade Area, which lowers the tariff rates of imported items to from zero to five percent.
Trade Advisor of Thailand to the Philippines Jose Ng said the thrust of Thailand’s Department of Export Promotions this year is to work closely with importers of Thai products.
Pansakdi said Cebu should promote its products in Thailand to capture the Thai market and the over 14 million tourists who go there. “If you market to Thailand, tourists from all over the world can also see your products and services,” he said. (JBN)
(March 15, 2005 issue)
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