Gov’t to launch road maps for auto, copper sectors

MANILA, Philippines - The government is ready to launch the road maps for the automotive and copper industries, but the release of an integrated road map for the entire manufacturing sector may have to wait until next year, a Cabinet official said.

Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo told reporters that the government is set to release road maps for certain industries soon.

“The auto road map will be one of them maybe (for) copper, we can launch (the road map) because that is ready,” he said.

The release of the int egrated road map for the manufacturing sector may not take place this year however, as the plans for all the different industries will have to be launched first.

“For integrated, (we can release it) maybe next year,” Domingo said.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched the industry road map initiative last year, in line with the aim of promoting the growth of specific industries and the entire manufacturing sector.

The government is looking to revive the local manufacturing sector which has been neglected in the past years, as it is seen to create more jobs and make growth more inclusive.

The road map initiative involves industry associations crafting road maps which contain strategies and measures to promote their competitiveness.

The draft plans have been submitted to the DTI for its approval.

 The private sector has been waiting for the release of the road maps citing that it is necessary in making investment decisions in the future.

Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. president Rommel Gutierrez said earlier the road map for the automotive industry should be released this year as it is being considered in whether additional or new investments will be made here.

The release of the road maps is likewise expected to enable the country to prepare for the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations Economic Community (AEC).

The AEC to be established in 2015, will allow the freer flow of goods, services, investments, labor as well as capital in the region.

Private sector groups have urged the government to undertake steps to help local businesses become more competitive noting that the country is not ready for regional economic integration.

Domingo said though the business community should not be too worried as we have already seen the bulk of the changes in relation to the AEC.

 â€œI think AEC 2015 is not really a big bang in the sense that when we reach that day, suddenly massive changes will take place,” he said.

He said the biggest change in relation to the AEC already took place in January 2010, when over 99 percent of tariff lines within the region were brought down to zero.

But while the AEC should not be feared, he said the government is implementing programs to help local businesses, particularly, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), prepare for regional economic integration.

The DTI is currently holding seminars through the Doing Business in Free Trade Areas program to inform individuals how they can take advantage of the country’s free trade agreements.