4th Philippines-UK Economic Dialogue Joint Press Statement

MAKATI CITY, PHILIPPINES – On Friday, 19 May 2023, the Philippines and the UK held their 4th round of bilateral Economic Dialogue chaired by Philippine Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo and His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils. The Philippines and the UK signed a Partnership Statement on Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation, continue reading : 4th Philippines-UK Economic Dialogue Joint Press Statement

Statement of Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual on the Commission on Appointments confirmation

To the Commission on Appointments (CA) and its plenary presided by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, and CA’s Committee on Trade and Industry Chairperson Representative Ferjenel Biron—thank you for confirming my appointment as Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).   To the organizations that have supported my confirmation—foreign and domestic business groups, continue reading : Statement of Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual on the Commission on Appointments confirmation

Press Statement on the Appointment of Alfredo E. Pascual as the DTI Secretary of the incoming administration

Let me extend my warmest congratulations to incoming Secretary Alfredo Pascual for being named as the new DTI Secretary in the Marcos administration. With his competence, integrity, energy and a wide range of experience in different industries, I know he will steer the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) towards greater heights in the years continue reading : Press Statement on the Appointment of Alfredo E. Pascual as the DTI Secretary of the incoming administration

Statement of Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez on the operation of registered Business Enterprises within Ecozones

To clarify some news reports today, this is to reiterate the provisions of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Law and the CREATE Act that require all registered business enterprises (RBEs) to operate within the ecozones. Because of the pandemic and the need to support the recovery of RBEs, the Fiscal Incentive Review Board (FIRB), continue reading : Statement of Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez on the operation of registered Business Enterprises within Ecozones

Statement of Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on the Senate’s Concurrence with the President’s ratification of the Arms Trade Treaty

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) welcomes the Senate’s concurrence with the President’s ratification of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). This marks a watershed moment in the country’s fight against illicit conventional arms trade. The Philippines has once again demonstrated its commitment to effectively regulate the transfer of conventional weapons, ammunitions/munitions, and their parts continue reading : Statement of Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on the Senate’s Concurrence with the President’s ratification of the Arms Trade Treaty

Statement of Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez on the Latest Results of the Labor Force Survey

The latest unemployment rate of 8.7% in April from 7.1% in March is not unexpected with the heightened restrictions imposed during this period. However, this is deemed temporary as we are back in the process of the gradual, calibrated, and safe reopening of the economy to protect both our people and jobs, and we are continue reading : Statement of Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez on the Latest Results of the Labor Force Survey

Statement of Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez on the tariff adjustment of imported rice, following Executive Order No. 135

The tariff adjustment was not due to any trade agreement discussion.   It was mainly due to rising prices of rice from major import source like Vietnam and Thailand which are Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries and which have 35% tariff rates. And since we want to ensure sufficient stocks of rice for the continue reading : Statement of Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez on the tariff adjustment of imported rice, following Executive Order No. 135