Exporters back the creation of “Quick Response Team”

Exporters in Cebu are hoping to benefit from the newly established team of the government called “Quick Response Team” to aid exporters meet stringent regulations in the international market with the creation of exclusive trade blocs.

Furniture exporter Eric N. Mendoza said that smaller exporting companies would largely benefit from this program as most of them do not have enough resources to comply with stringent set of standards imposed by other countries, thereby micro to small medium exporters are having difficulties in exploring other markets.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) chief Peter B. Favila earlier announced the establishment of the QRT, which is part of the department’s plan to effectively meet present and future trade remedy investigations in order to protect Filipino exporters’ presence in different markets abroad.

Favila said that QRT is much more needed at this time when free-trade areas that would tend to restrict the entry of goods of non-participating countries are being negotiated around the world, thereby Filipino exporters could expect more challenges.

Mendoza, who is also the president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), and board member of the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. (CFIF), said as early as now, exporters are faced with dozens of challenges, involving stricter rules and regulations of other countries on safety, environmental standards, compliance in labor standards, significantly security rules relating to global terrorism threat.

The QRT will be the main agency that will immediately run to the rescue of Filipino exporters confronted by trade-remedy actions filed by their counterparts in the international market.

Its operation will be under the direction of Senior Undersecretary Thomas G. Aquino and will be led by Bureau of Import Services Director Luis M. Catibayan.   – Ehda M. Dagooc