UPDATE: DTI submits application to EU-GSP+ Scheme. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Gregory L. Domingo recently signed the Philippine application to the GSP+ plus Scheme of the European Union. The EU GSP+ arrangement is a special incentive scheme for sustainable development and good governance anchored on the effective implementation of 27 international conventions on human and labor rights, environment and governance principles to which the Philippines is a signatory. The Philippine application will be submitted to the EU Delegation Office in Manila for subsequent transmittal to DG Trade of the European Commission. The application will be subjected to review and assessment within a period of 10 months and includes documentary requirements relative to the country's ratification of the 27 international conventions and an undertaking to accept regular EU monitoring to ensure implementation of the conventions mentioned. The DTI as lead agency for this initiative has concluded more than a year of preparatory work involving inter-agency consultations and industry briefings on the requirements and benefits of the scheme. The application is supported by industry groups and associations who would like to take advantage of the GSP+ preferences, particularly the textile and garments and the tuna sectors. DTI Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. stated that "the manufacturing industry roadmap identifies government interventions in assisting the private sector in gaining more access to markets. The sustainability of the tuna and garments sectors will greatly contribute to the revival of the country's manufacturing industry since these sectors account for more than 50% of the country's industry labor force."

Department of Trade and Industry of the Republic o : PHL submits application to EU-GSP+ Scheme: "Initial estimates indicate that the GSP+ could increase Philippine exports to the EU by 611.8M euros, representing around 11.96% expansion over 2012 Philippine exports to the EU. Product sectors with the highest projected increases are animal or vegetable fats and oils (231.2M euros); prepared foodstuffs (151.2M euros); textiles and garments (79.7M euros); footwear, headwear, umbrellas (28.5M euros); and chemical products (17.1M euros). The projected increase in exports could translate to 267,587 additional jobs both in the agriculture and manufacturing sector.  

The application to the EU GSP+ scheme is in accordance with the Philippines' Europe strategy to secure market access preferences, initially through the GSP+ while informal technical discussions are ongoing for a possible PH-EU and PH-EFTA FTAs."

'via Blog this'