NEDA: Surge in agricultural imports unlikely under RCEP

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)

Secretary Arsenio Balisacan refutes claims that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will allow the influx of agricultural imports in the country.

“Several consultations with concerned stakeholders and studies on the subject affirm that joining RCEP would unlikely lead to a surge in agricultural imports. In any case, with or without RCEP, the government strives for a competitive and resilient agriculture sector,” Balisacan said in a statement Monday.

Citing data from the International Trade Center, the NEDA said only 15 agricultural commodity groups out of 33 tariff lines will have tariff reduction under RCEP compared to the existing ASEAN+1 free trade agreements (FTA), the multilateral trade deal which the Philippines is currently

DTI supports NZ’s project for IP women in Davao City

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is one of the stakeholders of New Zealand’s Uplifting the IP Women in Davao City project.

the quality of products, accelerate their production, and enable them to digitize both their products and services.

implementing.

“This is equivalent to only 1.9 percent of the total 1,718 agricultural lines and only 0.8 percent of the total agricultural imports. Of these 33 tariff lines, 17 are raw materials, eight are intermediate products while only eight are final goods,”

The NZ Embassy in the Philippines is funding the initiative, which is being spearheaded by the Go Negosyo in partnership with the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII), DTI 11, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) 11, and Zeald. It targets the indigenous people (IP), particularly recognizing the potential of the Matigsalug tribe’s women in Marilog District in basketry and accessory-making.

The project which officially started in the 2nd quarter of 2022, has capacitated 106 IP women from four groups of the Matigsalug community. They were introduced to business development training which aims to increase

DTI-Davao City Director Rachel S. Remitio said that the beneficiaries actively participated during the product development sessions and they were happy to see an improved version of their products.

She also added that part of DTI’s commitment is to help these beneficiaries bring their products to a bigger market, such as participation in trade fairs and the use of social media platforms to sell and meet potential buyers.

Bae Mercy Laglagan, one of the beneficiaries and the president of the IP women’s group in Barangay Salumay, thanked the New Zealand Embassy for funding their project and DTI-Davao City Field Office for helping them improve their products.

“Dako akong pasalamat