Exporters, partners and coaches from the Philippines converged in Manila at the culminating event of the Export Management Coaching Initiative (EMCI).
The EMCI is designed for Philippines’ exporting MSMEs delivered under ARISE Plus Philippines, a 4-year project implemented by the International Trade Centre and funded by the European Union (EU).
Running through 2022 and first quarter of 2023, the EMCI offered practical, action-oriented advisory services and on-the-job coaching to selected Philippine MSMEs to help them deal with issues related to packaging and labelling, regulatory compliance and buyer requirements, customs formalities and applicable fees, international shipping, export planning and pro-forma invoice.
This support was delivered through 9 Export Management coaches trained under the project, who then delivered advisory support through on-the-job coaching missions on export management directly to 59 beneficiary enterprises across the Philippines.
The EMCI was delivered in close partnership with the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau and the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT), which support was instrumental in the effective delivery of the EMCI to beneficiary MSMEs.
Project partners, export management coaches, and beneficiary MSMEs participated in the final event which provided a venue to share and reinforce the lessons learnt and inputs received from partners and beneficiaries.
Throughout the initiative, existing and aspiring exporters were encouraged to strengthen presence in international markets as they improve skills and capacity to comply with cross-border requirements and grow their businesses.
The overall inputs collected from the missions and best export management practices to comply with international trade requirements were also highlighted during the event.
Raymund Vincent Fernandez Aaron of Villa Socorro Farm, one of the MSME beneficiaries, said: “The support from the EMCI under ARISE Plus Philippines has really been helpful to broaden our horizon in exports. The assigned coach has taught us how to continuously improve our export processes and increase our exports to other markets, including to the EU.”
Allan Gozon, ITC Export Management Coach, claimed: “The EMCI provided me with an opportunity to share with each MSME my 25+ years of expertise and experience. The methodical approach of EMCI, combined with our training, analytical skills, and human relations resulted in strategic interventions that would improve MSMEs’ export management activities.”
ARISE Plus Philippines is a project of the Philippine government, with the Department of Trade and Industry as lead partner together with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Bureau of Customs, the Department of Science and Technology, as well as the private sector.
It is funded by the European Union with the ITC as the technical agency for the project. – ARISE Plus Philippines