ESCALONA
Philexport Cebu is hoping to get additional funding support from a Netherlands agency for a program to further develop the organization’s capability to assist exporters in penetrating the huge European Union (EU) market.
Federico T. Escalona, Philexport Cebu executive director, said he hoped to get the nod of the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) before the end of this year.
“We’re fighting to get support under CBI’s Business Support Organization Development (BSOD) program this year since the Philippines no longer qualifies for the export coaching program,” Escalona said in a phone interview yesterday.
Philexport Cebu had benefited from the BSOD program in 2007, allowing it to provide training and coaching services to improve the competitiveness of its over 300 members.
Philexport Cebu’s success story as a BSOD program beneficiary is featured on the CBI website.
CBI said the organization was able to establish and profit from an Export Training and Coaching Center (ETCC), develop a pool of 35 local consultants and staff, strengthen the organization and increase customer satisfaction and membership “despite the economic crisis that seriously impacted the export industry in Cebu during that time.”
Escalona said they hope to be able to continue providing assistance to their members, especially those who want to enter the EU market.
“The EU is a very difficult market even with the GSP+ (privilege). Our exporters have to comply with so many certifications and other requirements,” he said.
The EU has granted GSP+ status to the Philippines, allowing Philippine exporters to sell about 6,000 products at zero tariff to EU countries. Among these are coconut and marine products, processed fruit, prepared food, animal and vegetable fats and oils, textiles, garments, and furniture.
Escalona said he intends to focus on assisting the food sector, which has a huge potential of penetrating the EU but is also constrained by the numerous requirements.
The BSOD program aims to provide business support organizations with the capacity to effectively and efficiently support local exporters to trade with buyers in Europe.