Mindanao exporters look beyond the global crisis

MINDANAO exporters and other concerned stakeholders are not losing hope and still believe that opportunities lie ahead of the global economic recession.
With the theme “Mindanao Looks Beyond the Global Crisis”, the Mindanao Exporters’ Forum slated on August 13 and 14 at the mini-theater of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in Davao City will tackle issues and concerns on how the export sector and its support services can sustain their survival in anticipation of the recovery of the global markets after the current recession.  
“We really are harping on the importance of putting our act together and implement tailor-fit initiatives and measures for the Mindanao exporters not to lose the stamina to keep on despite the present economic challenges,” Mindanao Trade Expo (MTE) 2009 chair Ann T. Pamintuan said.
The forum will try to find better strategies in developing and promoting cross-border trade and investment relationship with other Mindanaons and some neighboring countries.
“The economies of our neighboring countries are still doing well. So, why not tap them as our trading partners?” she said.
The two-day forum, which is expected to gather at least 150 stakeholders, has lined-up a battery of speakers who are adept/expert in their respective fields relative to trade partnership and opportunities. Among the topics for discussion are: Understanding the Global Economic Crisis; Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) and Exports; Accessing the Export Support Fund of the Economic Development Council (EDC); Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) Extension Law and its Opportunities for Agro-based Products, Cooperatives, and Exporters; European Union’s Fair Trade Practices and its Benefits to Philippine Exporters; Exports Efficiency and Profitability of the International Standards Organization (ISO) Certification; Pangasius Farming and Moringa (Malunggay) Production; Exploring New Market Opportunities in Japan; Proposed Amendments to Labor Contracting; Financing Facilities of the Small Business Guarantee and Finance Corporation (SBGFC) for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); Financing Facilities for Exporters by the Philippine Export Import Bank (PHILEXIM); and Looking Beyond the Global Crisis.
Pamintuan said that considering the subject matters that will be tackled by experts, the participants will be provided with appropriate knowledge to overcome the present challenges.