The Export Marketing Bureau (EMB, formerly the Bureau of Export Promotion or BETP), of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in joint collaboration with the Samahan sa Pilipinas ng mga Industriyang Kimika (SPIK), conducted an Info Session on “Doing Business in Free Trade Areas for the Chemical Sector” on 31 August 2016 at the Audio Visual Room DTI International Bldg., 375 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City.

The Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA), ASEAN Free Trade Area and a number of ASEAN Regional FTAs namely ASEAN-China, ASEAN-Japan, ASEAN-Korea, ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand and ASEAN-India FTAs have entered into force and are now being implemented including the EU-GSP+ and US-GSP.

These FTAs bring a number of trade benefits, primarily tariff elimination or reduction which will make Philippine export products more competitive.

To increase nationwide awareness as well as foster appreciation for the benefits under these trade agreements, the DTI since 2010 had conducted information sessions on Doing Business in Free Trade Areas in key cities around the country to encourage and train people to utilize free trade agreements.

For 2016, to provide updates on the existing and new FTAs, the DTI is again holding series of seminars on “Doing Business in Free Trade Areas” on sectoral level such as electronics, food, automotive parts, coconut products, rubber, garments, jewelry, home styles, chemicals and services. The seminar is free of charge.

Among the topics discussed during the info session are knowing the correct tariff for products, doing business in Free Trade Areas, Rules of Origin for Chemical Products, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Self- Certification Scheme of Bureau of Customs and Updates on the Strategic Trade Management Act (STMA). An open forum discussion was facilitated after the presentations.