POLICY BRIEFS

PHILEXPORT President Sergio R. Ortiz Luis Jr. once again called on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the country’s economic managers to review our economic policies, particularly those that impact on the foreign exchange. He cited that other Asian countries that showed bias towards a depreciated local currency are now leading in the global competitiveness ranking.

• Full text of Mr. Ortiz’s speech during the forum on the Impact of the foreign exchange on the exporters.
• Situationer and Strategy Paper on the Strong Peso
• Priviledge Speech of Congressman Junie Cua on the strong peso
• PHILEXPORT News and Features articles on the strong peso
• Q&A on Hedging: Managing Foreign Exchange Risks by Hedging

<--back

Exporters from the regions can now avail of travel tax exemption through their local PHILEXPORT chapters. The application for exemption must be filed at the PHILEXPORT at least two days prior to the flight schedule. Claims for travel tax exemption certificates can be made at the Philippine Tourism Authority regional offices in Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, Zamboanga, La Union, Laoag, Baguio, Clark Pampanga, Hilaga Pampanga and Cagayan de Oro.

• Full text of EO 589
• IRR of EO 589
• Additional guidelines for EO 589
• EDC Updates on Travel Tax Exemption Processing

<--back

At least 15 government agencies have eliminated their export fees and procedures as of September 6.  The streamlining is mandated under EO554 as one of the measures to assist lower the cost of doing business in the country.

• Full text of EO 554
• List of government agencies that have complied with EO 554

<--back

The Project Evaluation Group, the evaluating and monitoring Group of the Export Promotion Fund (EPF) has approved so far the following project proposals:

• Fish Quality Control Laboratory in Region XII
• Regional Designers Competence Build Up Program for Region XI
• Integrated Program for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Food Processors (IPMS) (Phase II)
• Manila Now! Goes Abroad (Furniture Sector)
• Establishment of A Philippine Assaying and Hallmarking Laboratory (Jewelry sector)
• Subscription to Worth Global Style Network, market intelligence
• Export Promotions Program for Costume Jewelry
• Cargo Pooling for Shipping Operation
• Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Design Program and “Source It”, An ASEAN event in Shanghai

The EPF is a public-private sector fund that provides supplemental financing to projects that are expected to promote growth of the export sector and provide opportunities for job creation. Amounting to P280 million, the fund came from contributions by the Department of Trade and Industry (P100M); Department
of Budget and Management (P100M); Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (P50M); National Economic Development Authority (P20M); and Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (P10M).

Exporters' associations are enjoined to submit their project proposals to the EPF Secretariat through Ms. Evy Mendezona at tel nos. 8977608/8904645 or email at exportdevelopmentcouncil@gmail.com.

• EPF Project Eligibility Criteria
• Flowchart for Processing EPF

P1 Billion Facility

1. Guidelines and template of project proposal
   • EPF Project Evaluation Guidelines
   • EPF Checklist of Requirements
   • EPF Eligibility Criteria
2. Annexes
   • EPF Projected Time Table Template
   • Estimated Budget / Work & Financial Plan Template
   • Cashflow Projection Template

<--back