DTI readies Japan, Korea roadshows

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has assembled a delegation to Japan and South Korea within the month for trade missions and road shows.

For Japan, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the trade mission will fly to Tokyo in the last week of May primarily to seek an update on Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) talks, especially on the sectors of agriculture and semiconductors.

 “The next trade mission is Tokyo, and there’s also South Korea. What we do is sometimes we split so we can do more, especially now that the President (really) pushes on foreign trade and international investments,” Roque told reporters.

For Japan, she said the top agenda is improving semiconductor exports, discussing coconut exports for the agricultural sector, and updating the retail businesses that will be entering the Philippine business space.

Several options open

“There are a lot of options now, especially after the enactment of CREATE MORE, which has been enticing Japanese firms. We can join roadshows and have our own B2B (business-to-business) depending on the business sectors,” she said.

“We also have to take up JPEPA because there are some agricultural products that we want to push,” she added.

Earlier, the Department of Agriculture said it is planning to increase agricultural exports to Japan as the government continues to push for zero tariffs on bananas and the revival of the shipment of local mangoes to Japan.

In a statement, the DA said it would work with the DTI to secure a preferential tariff rate for Philippine bananas.

 “Philippine bananas are staples for Japanese consumers, accounting for 22 percent of their food basket. The Philippines’ proximity to Japan allows the country to deliver low-cost bananas and other tropical fruits compliant with Japanese food standards,” the DA said.

Since last year, Japan has imposed an 18 percent duty on Philippine bananas imported to Japan. 

Presidential awardee

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Roque was honored at the Presidential and National Anti-Money Laundering Counter-Terrorism Financing/Counter-Proliferation Financing Coordinating Committee Recognition Ceremony.