More than 100 participants from the food manufacturing industry in Region 12 received training on exporting food products to the European Union (EU) market.
The two-day training held at the Avior Hotel provided up-to-date information on EU Food Safety regulations, enhanced understanding of the benefits and procedures related to the EU Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) and informed exporters on the ongoing EU-Philippines Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
It covered a range of topics including recent changes to EU regulations, compliance guidelines, and the benefits of the EU GSP+.
It also featured insights from representatives of the BFAR, who provided technical information on recent regulatory changes affecting tuna exporters.
The collaborative initiative among the Department of Trade and Industry’s Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), DTI Region XII, PHILEXPORT Region XII, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the International Trade Center (ITC) was organized under the ARISE Plus Philippines project funded by the European Union.
“The goal was to help Region 12 exporters, particularly those in the tuna industry, navigate the complex requirements of the EU market and improve their competitiveness,” DTI-EMB executive director Bianca Sykimte said.
MinDA chief of investment promotion division Helen de Castro said the partnership with ARISE Plus Philippines ensures that Region 12 exporters and MSMEs comply with EU standards.
“We are hoping that a similar initiative will be taken in other areas of Mindanao that have export potential,” de Castro said.
Rami Amer Hourani, national coordinator of the International Trade Centre, emphasized the significance of the collaboration, noting the shared goal of enabling Region 12 exporters to successfully enter and thrive in the EU market.
“By equipping exporters with the necessary knowledge and tools to meet EU standards, this training aimed to open new opportunities for Region 12’s food products in the competitive EU market, ultimately contributing to the growth and development of the local economy,” said Hourani.
Josephine Zambra from Alliance Select Foods International found the training useful as it “allows us to go further into the exporting industry, secure more raw materials, and set our goals in getting a slice of the EU market and be more competitive.”
