COMITATO MISTO ITALIA-FILIPPINE

PIBC - PHILIPPINE-ITALY BUSINESS COUNCIL

FIEI - FEDERITALIA EXPORT IMPORT

Opportunità d'affari nelle Filippine
a cura del Philippine Trade & Investment Centre

Principali prodotti italiani esportati nelle Filippine

1. Machinery for filling, closing, sealing, capsuling or labeling bottles, cans, boxes, bags or other containers
   
   

2. Parts, including regulators of hidraulic turbines and water wheels
   
   

3. Other antibiotics and salts thereof n.e.s. not put up as medicaments
   
   

4. Medicaments containing other antibiotics
   
   

5. Transmission apparatus for radio-telegraphy, radio-broadcasting or television
   
   

6. Fabrics imported on consignment basis for the embroidery or manufacture of outer garments
   
   

7. Parts of the machinery of a kind used in the bread grain milling industry
   
   

8. Parts of electronic integrated circuits and micro assemblies
   
   

9. Other medicaments containing other medicinal and pharmaceutical products
   
   

10. Parts, n.e.s. for rolling mills

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Principali prodotti filippini importati in Italia

1. Other data processing equipment
   
   
2. Coconut (copra) oil crude
   
   
3. Semi conductor devices
   
   
4. Other electronic integrated circuits
   
   
5. Input or output units
   
   
6. Other tires, pneumatic, new, of a kind used on motor cars
   
   
7. Finished electrical and electronic machinery
   
   
8. Other copper alloys
   
   
9. Other articles for Christmas festivities
   
   
10. Other telegraphic apparatus

LA REPUBBLICA DELLE FILIPPINE

Fonte: World Factbook 2000

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FILIPPINE - CALENDARIO FIERE 2001

2001 Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) Market Calendar

MANILA F.A.M.E. INTERNATIONAL
Date: 22-25 April 2001; 27-30 October 2001
Product Display: Gifts and Houseware
Venue: Hall A/Philippine International Convention Center/Paskuhan
Hall B/World Trade Center/Palengke
Hall C/Philippine Trade Training Center/Tindahan
Contact Person: Ms. Marjo Factora-Evio,
Chief, Hardgoods Division, CITEM
Tel: (63 2) 833-1258 Fax: (63 2) 832-3965

INFOTECH Philippines: An IT & E-Commerce Exhibition
Date: 28-30 March 2001
Product Display: Information Technology
Contact Person: Ms. Josie Gonzales, Chief, Industrial Division, CITEM
Tel: (63 2) 832-5044 Fax: (63 2) 832-3965

BIO-SEARCH
Date: 21-24 June 2001
Product Display: Natural, Herbal and Organic Products
Venue: Philippine Trade Training Center
Contact Person: Ms. Menchu Lising, Chief, Industry Development Division, CITEM
Tel: (63 2) 831-2483 Fax: (63 2) 832-3965

Industry Search 2001
Date: 20-22 September 2001
Product Display: Industrial Goods and Services
Venue: Philippine Trade Training Center
Contact Person: Ms. Josie Gonzales, Chief, Industrial Goods Division, CITEM
Tel: (63 2) 832-5044 Fax: 832-3965

Asian Ethnic Food Fest
Date: 23-26 November 2001
Product Display: Processed Food
Venue: Philippine Trade Training Center
Contact Person: Ms. Alice Pineda, Chief, Agri-Marine Division, CITEM
Tel: (63 2) 831-1282 Fax: (63 2) 832-3965

ORGANIZER: Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM)
Address: Golden Shell Pavilion, ITC Complex, Roxas Blvd., Corner Senator Gil J. Puyat Avenue 1300 Pasay City
Email: citem@info.com.ph
Website: www.citem.com.ph

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CHAMBER OF FURNITURE INDUSTRIES OF THE PHILIPPINES (CFIP)
2001 CALENDAR OF MAJOR EXHIBITIONS (As of 24 January 2001)

Philippine International Furniture Show 2001 (Manila)
Date: 24-27 February 2001
Venue: World Trade Center, Manila
Organizer: Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines
Tel: (63 2) 631-2834; 632-9007; 637-2742 to 43
Fax: (63 2) 631-2977
Contact Persons: Jemma/Jenny
Email: info@cfipnet.com
Website: www.cfipnet.com/pifs/

Philippine International Furniture Show 2001 (Cebu)
Date: 27 February-02 March 2001
Venue: Cebu International Convention Center, Cebu City
Organizer: Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc. (CFIF)
Tel: (032) 253-3091; 253-0274
Fax: (032) 254-8246
Contact Person: Jescel Canedo

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TRADE FAIRS AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER, MANILA

Philippine International Furniture Show 2001 (Manila)
Date: 24-27 February 2001
Product Display: world class and export quality furniture
Venue: World Trade Center, Manila
Organizer: Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines
Tel: (63 2) 631-2834; 632-9007; 637-2742 to 43
Fax: (63 2) 631-2977
Contact Persons: Jemma/Jenny
Email: info@cfipnet.com
Website: cfipnet.com/pifs/

Manila F.A.M.E. 33rd Gifts & Housewares Fair
Date: 22-25 April 2001
Product Display: Gifts and decorative accessories, toys & games, handmade paper plants and collectible items for export
Organizer: Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM)
Tel: (63 2) 834-0188; 833-1258; 831-1268
Fax: (63 2) 832-3965
Tel: (63 2) 817-7587
Fax: (63 2) 894-2466

Philippine Dental Association Annual Convention 2001
01-05 May 2001
Product Display: Latest dental equipment and materials
Organizer: Philippine Dental Association (PDA)
Telefax: (63 2) 899-6332

Comm Asia
Date: 24-26 May 2001 (coinciding with the National Electronics and Telecommunications Week)
Product Display: Telecommunication, broadcast, electronics, information technology, E-commerce
Organizer: IIR Exhibitions
Tel: (63 2) 750-8587 to 92
Fax: (63 2) 750-8585 to 86
Email: malouiirxp@skyinet.net
Pltiirxp@skynet.net

Corporate Giveaways 2001 Excellence Awards
Date: 0-07 July 2001
Product Display: Business gifts, promotional ideas, premiums & merchandise incentives
Organizer: World Exhibitions & Conventions Inc (Worldexco)
Tel: (63 2) 834-0608; 834-551
Fax: (63 2) 833-2404

Total Retail Industry Fair
Date: 30 September-01 August 2001
Product Display: International retail technology, equipment, systems, materials and services exhibition, incorporating retail equipment and technology expo, gifts & premium expo and franchising
Organizer: IIR Exhibitions
Tel: (63 2) 750-8587 to 92
Fax: (63 2) 750-8585 to 86
Email: malouiirx@skyinet.net
Pltiirx@skynet.net

9th AsiaFood 2001
Date: 05-09 September 2001
Product Display: Food industries, equipment & services
Organizer: Trade Information Marketing Exhibition (TIME)
Tel: (63 2) 834-0085 to 86
Fax: (63 2) 831-3828
Email: time@skyinet.net

Powertrends 2001
Date: 25-27 September 2001
Product Display: Power systems and energy generation show
Organizer: Interfama International
Tel: (65) 276-6933
Fax: (65) 276-6811

COMDDAP Expo 2001
Date: 03-06 October 2001
Product Display: Computer hardware, software, accessories, peripherals, printers and scanners
Organizer: The Computer Manufacturers Distributors & Dealers Association of the Philippines (COMDDAP)
Tel: (63 2) 810-3814; 892-7947
Fax: (63 2) 815-6351
Email: comddap@info.com.ph

Agri-Link 2001 (8th International Agribusiness Trade Exhibition & Conference)
Date: 18-20 October 2001
Organizer: Foundation for Resource Linkage & Development Inc. (FLRD)
Tel: (63 2) 838-4852; 838-4510; 838-4863
Fax: (63 2) 836-4573

Manila F.A.M.E. 34th Gifts & Housewares Fair
Date: 22-25 April 2001
Product Display: Gifts and decorative accessories, toys & games, handmade paper plants and collectible items for export
Organizer: Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM)
Tel: (63 2) 834-0188; 833-1258; 831-1268
Fax: (63 2) 832-3965
Tel: (63 2) 817-7587
Fax: (63 2) 894-2466
Email: citexmdn@pworld.net.ph

Jewelry, Watch & Clock Exhibition Philippines 2001
Date: 29 December 2000-02 January 2001
Product Display: Philippine international jewelry, jewelry equipment & fashion accessories

Christmas Expo 2000
Date: 30 December 2000-02 January 2001
Product Display: Christmas decors, novelty items, fashion accessories, RTW, gift items
Organizer: GMA Foundation
Tel: (63 2) 928-5087; 928-7021 locas 437-438
Fax: (63 2) 928-9351

• Regional e-Investment Forum at Marco Polo Hotel, Davao City Philippines on
  15 June 2001 - per ricevere documentazione e informazioni inviateci una mail
  
  
• E-services Philippines, An Outsourcing and Subcon Exhibition, Manila, Philippines on 28 - 30 June 2001- per ricevere documentazione e informazioni inviateci una mail
  
  
• 12/3/2001, Visita in Italia dell'Inviato Speciale del Presidente della Repubblica delle Filippine Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, S.E. Cesar B. Bautista.
  
  
• Priority Infrastructure Projects in the W Growth Corridor (LUZON)
  
  

• The Board of Investments (BOI) formulated its 3-year Medium-Term Investment Plan for 2002-2004, according to BOI Managing Head Vincent S. Perez, Jr.
  
  

• MAJOR JAPANESE FIRMS TO EXPAND PRESENCE IN RP
  
  

• Motorshow International Manila
  
  

• Businesses worth P100 million are medium enterprises
  
  
• Statement of Trade Secretary Mar Roxas on the impact of oil prices on prices of commodities
  
  
• MAR sees early delivery of P600M computers to public high schools
  
  
• MAR sees slight impact of oil prices, orders monitoring
  
  
• Inventories keep prices low, DTI says

   

   

MAJOR JAPANESE FIRMS TO EXPAND PRESENCE IN RP
 By Leotes Marie T. Lugo
 BusinessWorld Senior Reporter


 TOKYO -- Major Japanese companies are expected to continue expanding their presence in the Philippines despite the slowdown in the Japanese economy and the political uncertainty gripping Manila, an official of a top Japanese government trade agency has said.

 Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) general affairs department assistant director Kazufumi Tanaka said in an
 interview the trend now among Japanese companies is to look for alternative manufacturing bases that offer cheaper productions costs. "Toshiba and other big Japanese companies are still aggressive in expanding because of competition," Mr. Tanaka said during the interview at the JETRO headquarters here.

 He noted that Toshiba, as part of its bid to make its production more cost efficient, recently closed some of its plants in the United States and Japan and transferred its operations to the Philippines. Last February, Toshiba transferred production of its notebook-type personal computer (PC) to its Philippine plant from the US, and the manufacture of DVD-ROM from its Japan plant. Toshiba is among the four Japanese companies that expanded their production or built new plants in the Philippines during the first three months of the year.

 JETRO records showed Nihon Ceramics also built a new plant in March for the production of sensors while Sumitomo Jyukikaikogyo set up a new plant for machinery components. Japan's NEC also increased the production of modems in its Philippine plant.

                           IT REBOUND

 Mr. Tanaka said the projected rebound in the information technology (IT) sector, starting in the latter half of the year,
 is also expected to bring in new investments to the Philippines.

The abundance of highly skilled professionals like engineers, he said, is the Philippines' competitive advantage over other Asian countries, including China.

 Mr. Tanaka, however, admits that China is considered as the number once choice of many Japanese companies as possible manufacturing base due to the cheap cost of labor there. But he said some Japanese companies also believe it is "risky" to invest in China due to Beijing's "policy inconsistencies."

 He said this is where the Philippines has an advantage since, aside from its highly skilled labor force, Manila has so far displayed policy consistency, especially in the IT sector.

 Mr. Tanaka also noted that labor cost in the Philippines may not be as cheap as that in China, but Filipino workers are "more efficient."

                              PERKS

 He added that Japanese companies also appreciate the investment incentives offered by the government. The Philippines offers special perks, including tax holidays to investors through the Board of Investments, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Clark Development Corp. and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

 Japanese companies renewed interest in the Philippines following the assumption to power of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last January 20, the JETRO official said.

 JETRO last March sent a high-level investment survey mission to the Philippines led by its chairman Noburo Hatakeyama as a sign of renewed interest in the country. The 67-member mission explored investment opportunities in the areas of information technology, automotive parts, electronics and semiconductor
 manufacturing.

                            CONFIDENT

 The President and other top government officials met with the investment mission in Manila. "Japanese firms are very much interested in the Philippines and are confident with the new administration," Mr. Tanaka said.

 He said there was a high level of confidence during the Ramos administration, but that some investors adopted a wait-and-see stance during the two-and-a-half year Estrada administration that was brought down by a middle-class uprising last January 20.

 JETRO is a non-profit government organization tasked to promote trade and economic relations between Japan and other countries. One of its primary missions is to promote imports entering Japan to lessen trade friction with other countries due to Japan's trade surplus.

Businesses worth P100 million are medium enterprises

The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (SMEDC) redefined medium enterprises to now include those with assets between P15 million to P100 million, Trade and Industry Secretary Mar Roxas said yesterday.

The adjustment expanded the definition from the previous P15 million to P60 million range.

Due to adjustments in value of assets for inflation, many medium enterprises are automatically disqualified from availing themselves of assistance from government, said Secretary Roxas.

But some of the companies have export orders and need loans to produce and deliver, Roxas said.

They would be cut-off from assistance just because of asset appraisal value, he said. Their workers would be laid off if the firms become uncompetitive.

Under Republic Act (RA) 6977 as amended by RA 8289 or the Magna Carta for Small Enterprises, the SMED Council has been mandated to "review and adjust accordingly the definition of SMEs as deemed necessary."

RA 6977 mandates private and government banks to set aside 2% and 6% of their total loan portfolio for the next ten years to be available as credit for SMEs.
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MAR sees early delivery of P600M computers to public high schools

Government will install 20,000 new personal computers in 1,000 public high schools nationwide for use by senior students before December this year, Trade and Industry Secretary Mar Roxas said yesterday.

December delivery was assured after Japan released a grant of P600 million to the government through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) this May, Secretary Roxas said.

"President Macapagal-Arroyo directed us to put the PCs on desktops in school labs within the year or much earlier than the scheduled schoolyear 2002-2003," said Roxas, chairman of the Task Force for Personal Computers for Public High School project.

Rules for competitive bidding will for the supply of computers will be announced in June. The bidding will be conducted through the internet The rules have been approved by the Commissioned on Audit.  The computers must be bundled up with software programs, CD Roms and modem.

The DTI secretary said that giving seniors in public schools access to PCs virtually means improving the chances of poor families to compete for high-paying jobs in the market for knowledge or information technology workers worldwide.

"We are not just installing theory and equipment," Roxas said.

"Helping seniors from low-income families learn about math, the visual artsm science or technology through computers," he said, "enables these kids to creatively apply these tools to their daily lives."

Eventually, the seniors will need the computer knowledge to qualify them for employment, he said.

"The nature of work has changed because of IT," he said.

Using computers to draw, research, learn math, or make reportes will start them off higher skills such as hardware and software development. As they learn, they form part of a global resource that includes skilled workers in India, Ireland, United States, Australia or Japan that are hired by large corporations.

Roxas expected that more than 20,000 computers will be installed this year when private donations of used and new computers are delivered by civic and business groups, overseas Filipinos and multinationals, he said.

A private company will begin training public school teachers in knowledge of basic IT. In turn, these teachers will tutor their students on IT as tools for learning.

Co-chairman of the Task Force is former Senator Vicente Paterno. Among the other government agencies in the Task Force are the DECS, Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Finance.
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Statement of Trade Secretary Mar Roxas on the impact of oil prices on prices of commodities

Unfortunate as it may have been, the oil price increase has relatively only minimal impact on the manufacturing cost of producers of all these basic and primary commodities.

The Department of Agriculture has reported stability in prices across all food products mentioned, and have also projected that the El Nino phenomenon during the latter part of this year will be moderate or slight. Rice stocks are very healthy.

Likewise for various industries that were represented in the National Price Coordinating Council meeting this morning, the prices are relatively stable through a combination of factors most often referred to as competition. The impact of the peso-dollar exchange rate, wage rate orders, energy cost on killowatt-hour point of view have larger impact on costs versus the P0.40 pum price increase.

Supply situation across all items remain relatively stable. Two industries which reflect major changes in their imported raw materials are milk and flour. But in the cases of flour and milk, recent past adjustments enabled them to recapture some increases in costs.

Coffee, paper, to a certain extent milk, poultry and processed meats all project relatively stable prices throughout the remainder of the year.
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Inventories keep prices low, DTI says

Supplies of basic commodities remained adequate and prices remained stable in public markets in Metro Manila, other key citires and regions, a survey by the Department of Trade and Industry showed.

DTI Secretary Mar Roxas attributed the steady prices to the existing inventories equivalent to one or two month's consumption.

These inventories were produced by factories using costs prior to the increase in gasoline and other fuel product prices last Wednesday.

Daily price monitoring by DTI in public markets nationwide, including 35 in the national capital region, showed that supplies coped with demand and there were no abnormal price movements.

Secretary Roxas said the recent increase in fuel product prices would have minimal impact on basic goods. This is because the average raise of 46 centavos per liter could mean fractions of centavos when spreas out over thousands of goods being transported.

The increases in the prices of milk of about eight per cent occured last week or prior to the increase in the prices of fuel oil products. Milk prices went up as a result of the fluctuations in the peso-dollar rate and the costs of raw materials abroad.

Prices of cement also went up by P10 a bag, an adjustment that likewise happened last week. Cement companies said they adjusted their prices to make up for losses in previous months.

Consumers may report their complaints to the Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection at 890-4932 and 896-5740.
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MAR sees slight impact of oil prices, orders monitoring

Trade Secretary Mar Roxas said the recent increase in oil product prices will have an impact on the prices of  basic consumer goods but the impact will be minimal.

Secretary Roxas said, however, that manufacturers may even decide to absorb the impact for fear that they could lose their buyers to their competitors or they buyers would look for product substitutes.

He says the slight impact in the marketplace could happen after June because inventories of products made from old costs are equivalent to one to two months’ consumption.

“Oil costs form a minimal part of manufacturing costs,” he said.  “Some factories will complain of higher gasoline bills, but the increased cost per unit may also be minimal.  The added cost is spread over thousands of units being transported.”

He said the fluctuations in the peso-dollar rate and the acquisition costs of raw materials are more material events for producers such as those for milk products.

As a strategy, Secretary Roxas said, some manufacturers may just decide to absorb the minimal costs to keep their customers loyal.

“If a soap manufacturer raises his prices by 10 centavos and his rivals keep their present prices, he will only drive his buyers to the other brands,” he said.  “The price adjustment would then cost him more in lost sales. He will also spend millions in advertising to get his customers back.”

He cited as examples the prices of coffee, sardines, and laundry soap.

Nonetheless, Roxas ordered local price monitoring councils to intensify their monitoring of supplies and price levels nationwide. This would thwart attempts by profiteers to manipulate prices and supplies.

He received reports from DTI regional and provincial offices that said that supply of basic necessities and prime commodities are adequate and that prices generally remained stable.

The exception was for milk products whose prices have been adjusted by Alaska and Nestle by eight per cent effective May 7 and 14, respectively.

Region 12 reported an increase in the prices of cement by P10 a bag.

The councils were also ordered to apprehend vendors who fail to display price tags as required under the Price Tag Law. Local government officials, DTI officials, community leaders, and the police lead the councils.

The trade secretary said manufacturers’ associations are convening next week to present their price and cost forecasts to trade officials and consumer groups.

“We’d like to know from them if we together can influence policies or coming events that affect prices of basic goods,” he said.

Factors could range from availability of foreign exchange, interest rates, removal of unnecessary checkpoints in highways, campaign against unfair competition from fake products, to weeding out of red tape procedures.

Roxas appealed to consumers to stay vigilant and call the following numbers: 896-57-40 and 890-49-32.

Complaints must specify the product, the price, name and location of the store complained of.
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