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The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry says better logistics and supply chains are now a national competitiveness issue
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The Department of Trade and Industry points to high logistics costs as a barrier to bringing MSMEs into the Luzon Economic Corridor
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Industry leaders push paperless trade and digital readiness so MSMEs can compete with Thailand and Vietnam
Improving logistics and supply chain performance is now a national competitiveness issue, according to Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President Perry Ferrer. He said the Philippines must move quickly through public-private collaboration and practical reforms to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and keep pace with its Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) neighbors.
“What we need to do is to have one voice with our government partners,” Ferrer said on October 5 at PCCI’s Economic Security Dialogue Series. The session was titled “Logistics, Digital Trade and E-Commerce: Connecting SMEs to the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), Pax Silica, and the Country’s Emerging Economic Corridors.”
The session focused on using e-commerce and strong digital infrastructure to bring smaller businesses into major supply chains.
Public-private push to link MSMEs to the LEC
In his welcome remarks, PCCI Secretary-General Ruben Pascual stressed that the government and private sector must work closely together to connect MSMEs to the LEC and regional supply chains.
Trade and Industry Undersecretary for the Supply Chain and Logistics Group Mary Jean Pacheco pointed to the Philippines’ high logistics costs. She said the country needs stronger infrastructure, market linkages, workforce upskilling and supply chain systems to better bring MSMEs into the LEC.
Alliance of Technology Innovators for the Nation Lead Convenor Monchito Ibrahim said Philippine MSMEs must be prepared now to take advantage of growing digital trade opportunities. These include the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement and new economic corridor initiatives.
He said paperless trade, digital onboarding and logistics readiness will help MSMEs stay competitive as regional economies such as Thailand and Vietnam step up.
READ: Logistics takes center stage as inaugural Luzon Economic Corridor forum wraps up
