-
The Philippine Exporters Confederation called on government to come up with a strategic plan that will help address supply chain volatility and the risks tied to the continued unpredictability of international trade patterns
-
“The main concerns include supply chain volatility, investment deterrence and erosion of predictability in global trade norms,” Philexport president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said
-
He noted that the growth in both the country’s exports and imports in July was mainly driven by frontloading activities as manufacturers rushed to beat US tariffs that were to take effect in August
-
While exporters are already adjusting their production plans and targets, Philexport wants the government to boost support programs that will help industry players become more competitive
The Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) called on the government to come up with a strategic plan that will help address supply chain volatility and the risks tied to the continued unpredictability of international trade patterns.
“The broader economic outlook of developing countries can be clouded by persistent and wide-ranging US tariff actions. The main concerns include supply chain volatility, investment deterrence and erosion of predictability in global trade norms,” PHILEXPORT president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said during the group’s general membership meeting on September 16.
He noted the growth in both the country’s exports and imports in July was mainly driven by frontloading activities as manufacturers rushed to beat US tariffs that were to take effect in August.
READ: Global air cargo volumes up 5% in July in runup to US tariffs adoption
“We are thankful that at the moment, the market share of our high-value exports like electronics, semiconductors, and machinery products has been preserved in this new US tariff regime,” Ortiz-Luis said.
However, several sectors are vulnerable, especially the “labor-intensive exports such as garments, leather goods, wearables, furniture, and coconut-based products,” he said.
READ: PH international trade grew 9.2% in H1 2025
While Philippine exporters are already adjusting their production plans and targets, PHILEXPORT wants the government to come up with a “strategic system” that will help industry players become more competitive through higher quality and stronger compliance to global standards.
Ortiz-Luis said the country’s products can compete better in terms of quality rather than pricing with support programs in the areas of ISO certification programs, international standards compliance grants for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and tax incentives for Research and Development (R&D) initiatives.
He cited several studies by international organizations that indicate the factors that boost competitiveness in the global market.
Among these is the 2021 World Trade Organization report showing that companies that meet international quality standards were 70% more likely to export successfully.
The International Trade Centre, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of market intelligence for SMEs on identifying target export markets. A World Bank study in 2022 also showed how data-driven market decisions are 32% more likely to be sustainable.
“Using AI-powered tools like Trademap or Market Access Map, companies can identify not only demand volumes but also competitor presence, tariff barriers and sanitary/phytosanitary restrictions,” Ortiz-Luis said.
PHILEXPORT is also batting for the establishment of national e-export platforms that will facilitate paperless customs and digital certificates of origin, finance solutions, and wider participation of SMEs.
The Philexport head again underscored the importance of public-private partnership to create a nationwide business environment that will allow export businesses to thrive.
He said, “We had been seeing that export growth isn’t just about logistics and markets, it’s about ecosystem orchestration.”
READ: Customs Amnesty Bill, PPA charter change among PHILEXPORT priority legislative measures
