NO: PRU-010-

Department of Trade and Industry

Release Date: January 24, 2017
Reference: DTI-OSEC-PRU
895.3995/ 890.4517
Secretary@dti.gov.ph, pru@dti.gov.ph/ www.dti.gov.ph
@DTI.Philippines @DTIPhilippines @DTI.Philippines

DTI bares year-long plans as chair of ASEANs

business and investment promotion committee

MALACAANDepartment of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon

Lopez revealed year-long plans that aim to complement and heighten the
impact of the countrys strategic priorities and deliverables for the ASEAN
Economic Community (AEC), following DTIs chairmanship of the ASEAN
Economic Ministers (AEM) meeting and the ASEANs Committee on
Business and Investment Promotion (CBIP).

Speaking at the formal launch of the ASEAN 2017 Business and

Investment Program on 24 January, Sec. Lopez expressed confidence on
ASEAN as an economic powerhouse, citing that the region is now the third
largest market in the world with over 620 million people, the third largest
economy in Asia, and the seventh largest economy in the world with a
combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 2.3 trillion dollars.

He also called on maximizing the opportunities and benefits from the AEC,
and reiterated the four pillars of AEC as landscape for the dialogue with
ASEAN partners in realizing the ASEAN 2025, starting with the 23rd AEM
Retreat.

AECs four pillars are the establishment of a single market and production
base, a highly competitive economic region, a region of equitable
economic development, and a region fully integrated into global economy.

This will solidify our priorities for the 50th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting
(AMM), the 49th AEM Meeting and the Leaders Summit, to be chaired by
President Rodrigo Duterte, according to him.

As we host the ASEAN 2017 Summit, the Philippines is one with the
ASEAN in increasing trade and investments in the region; in integrating
micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the digital economy for
greater access to trade information, global market and value chain, and
finance, promoting youth and women entrepreneurship; and in increasing
cooperation within the region and connectivity to the rest of the world,
Sec. Lopez said.

DTI bares year-long plans as chair of ASEANs business and

investment promotion committee
1 | Pa g e
The trade chief said that coinciding with the Leaders Summit in April is
the holding of an ASEAN MSMEs-Mentors Conference, bringing together
ASEAN mentors who can equip ASEAN local community enablers with the
necessary information on access to capital, markets, ASEAN industries
and innovation.

An ASEAN Creative Cities Forum and Exhibit will also be held, showcasing
initiatives of 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS) in making culture and
creativity a driving force for sustainable development and urban
regeneration, according to Sec. Lopez.

Taste ASEAN as the Philippines holds International Food Exposition

(IFEX) in May. IFEX will showcase the best food brands from Southeast
Asia and its partner countries, he said, adding that DTIs aim is to
increase ASEAN SME participation in the global production and value
chains, through participation of 10 AMS and ASEAN Dialogue Partners
(DPs) in the country's biggest international trade exhibition on food and
food-related products.

Aside from these, an ASEAN Womens Business Conference in August will

be held to provide strategic dialogue among ASEAN, the private sector
and DPs in addressing issues and concerns on women entrepreneurship,
focusing on market access and finance and the identification of innovative
business models which supports the ASEANs vision of a stronger, more
inclusive, and integrated economic community.

In September, Sec. Lopez said that an Inclusive Business Summit,

emphasizing the role of the government in sharing best practices on
implementing inclusive business strategies and in recognizing exemplary
inclusive business models through the ASEAN Inclusive Business Awards.

Meanwhile, the 2nd ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Carnival will strengthen

the network among young entrepreneurs from ASEAN and other countries
capturing the fast-paced developments on key sectors such as food,
agriculture, information technology, logistics, business process
outsourcing, start-ups, and Internet of Things (IOT). Through the formal
launch of ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Association (AYEA) Charter, Sec.
Lopez hoped to commit young entrepreneur towards strengthened ties,
cooperation and linkages.

In October, driven by the goal to promote innovation across the ASEAN

region, DTI will spearhead the annual Slingshot event, helping create a
regional network of ASEAN ecosystem players including startups,
investors, incubators, mentors, academe, co-working spaces, and industry
experts.

It shall showcase investment-ready startups for potential local and

international investors as well as facilitate easy access of information
DTI bares year-long plans as chair of ASEANs business and
investment promotion committee
2 | Pa g e
between governments running start-up development programs in the
region, he said.

Before the year closes, another MSME Summit will be held, featuring
inspiring MSMEs including those that have benefited from the mentoring
program of the Philippines and other AMS. The Summit, which is in
conjunction with the concluding ASEAN Leaders Summit, will be an
occasion to formally introduce the establishment of the ASEAN Mentors
Network, an organization of mentors from AMS.

We shall work hand-in-hand in creating paths that will lead our people
and our communities towards a truly inclusive, innovation-led shared
prosperity, Sec. Lopez concluded. (END)

DTI bares year-long plans as chair of ASEANs business and

investment promotion committee
3 | Pa g e