THE Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), together with the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PhilExport) and the Export Development Council, will once again spearhead the National Export Congress (NEC), the highlight of the weeklong celebration of the National Exporter’s Week (NEW). This year’s theme, “Innovate. Collaborate. Export!” aims to encourage exporters to enhance their entrepreneurial capabilities through innovation and collaboration.
“With the rise of changing global standards and various technological advancements, more than ever, exporters face tremendous challenges in various fronts. Hence, the Philippine export community is aggressively gearing up to hold the NEC. The community expects to mark another milestone for Filipino exporters,” EMB Director Senen M. Perlada said.
Over 700 delegates, including exporters, business support organizations, policy-makers and academe will convene at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay, Manila, on December 5 for the annual NEC.
This year’s NEC aims to promote a business environment that will inspire exporters to do more innovation and collaboration to reinforce their entrepreneurial capabilities. The congress will be the perfect venue of innovation initiatives from the government and private sector to grow exports and promote collaboration among enterprises.
The event aims to:
- Provide support mechanisms of innovation for start-ups and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
- Promote a culture of collaboration to encourage creative thinking and knowledge creation and dissemination toward expanding and maintaining economic competitiveness; and
- Strengthen and deepen interactions and partnerships among the public and private sector, academe, MSMEs, research and development institutions and communities toward promoting inclusive growth and improving the growth of exports through innovation.
The event will also have panel discussions on various topics, such as expansion of the global market through innovation and addressing industry challenges through collaboration.
The NEW is an annual event as stipulated under Presidential Proclamation 931, series of 1996 and House Resolution 33, declaring the first week of December as National Exporters’ Week. It targets to obtain the full commitment of the government and the private sector to continuously work together to sustain and maintain export promotion and development.
Over the years, the NEW grew into a significant national event. Different DTI regional offices, PhilExport and academe will be celebrating the event with different activities in line with this year’s chosen theme.
Also part of the weeklong NEW celebration is the conduct of Usapang Exports, an information session under the DTI-EMB’s Philippine Export Competitiveness Program in Cebu (November 21), Davao (November 23) and Makati City (December 6).