These initiatives align with the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2023–2028, which aims to position the country as a competitive export hub in the region.
“The Philippine export sector is being fundamentally reimagined under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas agenda,” said Trade Secretary Cristina A. Roque. “Our commitment is to empower every Filipino exporter with essential tools, crucial knowledge, and expanded market access to excel on the global stage.”
Roque emphasized a three-pronged approach—accelerating research and development, fostering strategic alliances, and investing in talent development—as key to building a future-ready economy.
Driving global visibility
In the first five months of 2025, the DTI’s Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) led Philippine delegations to international trade fairs and business missions across East Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. Events included Gulfood Dubai, TuttoFood Milano, THAIFEX-Anuga Asia, and the Nordic Game Conference.
These efforts paid off: the Middle East mission alone generated $ 27.28 million in sales, while the healthcare services sector secured $79 million in actual and potential sales at the HIMSS 2025 Global Health Conference. Filipino brands such as Miguelito’s Ice Cream and Avocadoria are also making waves abroad, while Fisherfarms and Lionheart Farms earned global recognition for their innovative food products.
Empowering MSMEs with digital and learning tools
To strengthen trade literacy and improve FTA (Free Trade Agreement) utilization, the DTI-EMB continues to promote the Philippine FTA Information Portal and the Origin Management System. These platforms simplify access to tariff rates, origin rules, and documentation procedures, and are rolled out through nationwide training.
The bureau’s “Usapang Exports” learning series held 35 sessions in 2024, educating exporters on documentation, digital tools like Tradeline Philippines, and trade platforms such as the International Trade Centre’s Trade Map. Special attention is given to women-led enterprises through the SheTrades Philippines Hub.
Enabling policy environment
Under the newly signed CREATE MORE Act (RA 12066), DTI-EMB has begun issuing Export-Oriented Enterprise Certifications to allow VAT zero-rating and tax exemptions, significantly cutting operational costs.
The bureau also launched export guidebooks for the UK and EU markets in partnership with the British Embassy Manila and ARISE Plus Philippines, offering practical regulatory and market entry guidance for MSMEs.
Recognizing the implications of trade policy shifts such as US reciprocal tariffs, DTI has initiated stakeholder consultations to tailor strategies that ensure resilience, promote diversification, and address sector-specific concerns.
DTI-EMB continues to offer a wide array of services—including Certificates of Origin, Coffee Export Clearances, buyer matching, product advisory, and trade referrals—ensuring that Philippine products remain competitive in the global market. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
