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Monday, January 12, 2004
Exporters seek government help
By Allen V. Estabillo
A GROUP of businessmen in General Santos City and neighboring areas called on the national government to draft policies that would ensure the protection of local exporters from "unscrupulous importers."
Ismael Salih Jr., president of the Philippine Confederation of Exporters (Philexport) Socsksargen chapter, issued the appeal as he revealed that several exporters have suffered hefty losses from some importers who deviously question the quality of local products in the guise of acquiring them at much lower prices.
The importers often raise questions on the product's quality despite having proper quality control clearances or certifications, Salih said.
"Upon the arrival of the products at the hand of some unscrupulous importers, they raise complaints regarding quality which they eventually use to pressure the exporters to give in to more discounts," he said.
Salih said most of the affected exporters were Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) engaged in production of value-added tuna and other marine products.
According to the Department of Trade and Industry, around 60-70 SMEs in the city are engaged in retail and production of tuna products including value-added goods such as tuna sausages, burgers, embutido, siomai, chorizo and even tuna fish rolls.
Salih said these SMEs have already acquired the necessary international-standard certifications such as the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
"Before exporting their products, these exporters have their products properly inspected and analyzed in micro laboratories. (They don't ship out without) certifications from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Department of Health for Vibreo Cholera clearances," he said.
Salih urged President Arroyo to direct the Export Development Council to immediately establish means of enhancing the country's quality control standards.
Domingo Teng, president of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing Associations and Allied Industries Inc., also urged government to promote institutionalization of quality control standards and ensure that they would be acceptable in international markets.
Teng said compliance with standards, such as HACCP and GMP, increases the country's competitiveness in the international market.
The government, in coordination with SFFAAII, set at least 10 training last year on HACCP standards and GMP for local tuna producers and canners.
(January 12, 2004 issue)
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