Business
TRADE CHIEF PARTICIPATES IN
APEC MINISTERIAL MEETING
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon M. Lopez represented the Philippines during the Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) 23rd Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) in Hanoi, Vietnam on May 20-21, 2017
D
epartment of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary
Ramon M. Lopez represented the Philippines during
the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 23rd
Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) in
Hanoi, Vietnam on May 20-21, 2017.
Building on the theme of “Creating New
Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future in the Asia
Pacific,” the Ministers of the 21 economies of the Asia
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) exchanged
views on pressing trade and investment issues,
focusing on financial inclusion, market access, job
generation, the digital economy and e-commerce.
Advocate of Global MSMEs
A staunch advocate of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their
internationalization, Sec. Lopez highlighted the need to enhance trade facilitation
and create an enabling business environment. He commented that initiatives that
drive innovation and entrepreneurship enable MSMEs to participate in international
trade.
On the APEC MSME Marketplace, he cited the importance of this Philippine
initiative of developing an online platform on information on trade regulations,
market opportunities, tools and resources to be launched during the APEC SME
Ministerial Meeting in September 2017.
The trade chief also showcased programs such as the Shared Services Facilities,
Pondo Para sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso and Go Lokal! to help MSMEs, remarking
that any kind of growth will not be meaningful if it is not inclusive.
“Trade costs matter.” Highlighting the importance of APEC economies working
together to bring costs down, Sec. Lopez said that non-tariff measures (NTMs)
increase the time and cost of doing business setting off the benefits of tariff
liberalization and improvements in logistics and connectivity and emphasized the
need to reduce them.
Telling the ‘APEC Story’
60
“On open trade, there are real evidence of positive economic impact on our
economies,” said Sec. Lopez, adding that “we must persist in communicating these
benefits to all our stakeholders, in addition to ensuring that the inclusive agenda here
in APEC continues.”
He also shared the “Build, Build, Build” project under President Rodrigo Roa
Duterte’s Dutertenomics, the Administration’s catch-up program for much-needed
infrastructure requirements. These efforts are aimed at improving connectivity
through infrastructure to support the flow of goods, information and people in the
Philippines.
Sec. Lopez also stated that the Philippines as host of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) looks forward to the substantial conclusion of the Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2017. During the meeting, many
Ministers shared the view that RCEP is a pathway of deepening regional economic
integration.
APEC moving for