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THE
government has created a team that will run to the aid
of exporters who are expected to meet stricter
regulations in the international market arising from the
creation of exclusive trade blocs.
Trade
Secretary Peter B. Favila said this is part of the
department’s plan to effectively meet present and future
trade-remedy investigations in order to protect Filipino
exporters’ presence in its markets abroad.
He said
this is needed more at this time when free-trade areas
that would tend to restrict the entry of goods of
nonparticipating countries are being negotiated around
the world. Filipino exporters, Favila said, can expect
increased exposure to challenges.
“It is
essential for the Department of Trade and Industry to be
able to respond to requests for assistance properly and
effectively in order to safeguard our export growth,” he
said.
The
so-called Quick Response Team (QRT) will be the main
agency that will immediately run to the rescue of
Filipino exporters confronted by trade-remedy actions
filed by their counterparts in the international
market.
The QRT
will be under the direction of Senior Undersecretary
Thomas G. Aquino and will be led by Bureau of Import
Services Director Luis M. Catibayan.
“This
initiative is unprecedented, unparalleled and underlines
government’s commitment to stand up for Filipinos in
international trade matters and disputes,” Favila said
in a statement.
He has
also made arrangements with the Canadian International
Development Agency (Cida) to train selected personnel of
the department to improve their capability in defending
Filipino exporters’ interests abroad.
Cida has
continuously provided training courses and workshops for
Philippine investigators to strengthen their confidence
in handling trade-remedy measures. |
