The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) unveiled “A Guide for Digital Proof of Origin Implementation,” which outlines practical models for electronic proof of origin—from simple PDF certificates to advanced blockchain-based systems—and provides a roadmap for national initiatives and regional cooperation in digital trade.

The Guide supports the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (CPTA), a UN treaty that entered into force in 2021. As of February, 15 countries, including Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Uzbekistan, have acceded to the framework.

Certificates of origin certify a product’s “economic nationality,” helping customs authorities determine duties, apply trade agreements, and enforce regulations. The Guide covers traditional certificates issued by government authorities, self-issued certificates by producers or exporters, and declarations of origin included on invoices or other commercial documents.

It addresses both preferential certificates, which enable tariff benefits under free trade agreements, and non-preferential certificates, used for quota administration, anti-dumping, or trade statistics. Paperless models include web-based certificates, bilateral or multilateral data exchanges like the ASEAN Single Window, and exporter- or importer-based self-declarations. Countries can adopt multiple models simultaneously, depending on their trade agreements.

The Guide also recommends prioritizing liberal solutions in line with World Customs Organization (WCO) guidelines, which encourage self-certification by producers and exporters to reduce compliance costs and increase usage rates while respecting domestic business environments.

During the 4th Quarter General Membership Meeting of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT), president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said new trade deals and tariff adjustments are poised to reshape the export landscape next year.

Ortiz-Luis confirmed that the Philippines and Canada are preparing to begin formal negotiations for a bilateral FTA by early 2026. In parallel, the ASEAN–Canada FTA remains on track for completion within the year, while the Philippines’ application to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is progressing, with member economies expected to take up the country’s bid soon. He added that the Philippines has concluded negotiations for its first Middle East FTA — the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the United Arab Emirates — which is now awaiting signing. Talks with Chile are likewise moving forward, expanding the country’s access to growth markets in the Gulf and South America.

He also highlighted the impact of a recent executive order by US President Donald Trump, which exempts more than $1 billion worth of Philippine agricultural exports from the 19-percent reciprocal tariff. The measure covers coconut oil, processed fruits, coffee, cocoa, bananas, spices, tomatoes and beef, among other products. With this development, around 46 percent of Philippine exports to the US are now tariff free, strengthening the country’s competitiveness in one of its biggest export destinations.

Ortiz-Luis said the semiconductor and electronics sector — the country’s largest export contributor — is expected to grow between 5 and 7 percent next year. This expansion is anchored on global demand for artificial intelligence applications, electric vehicles, Internet of Things technologies and data centers. He said this could push electronics exports to between $45 billion and $47 billion and further reinforce the Philippines’ role in global value chains.

He noted that exporters have managed to survive the turbulence of 2025 despite weak global demand, shifting tariff policies, rising operating costs and slowing manufacturing activity. Filipino exporters, he said, responded by opening new markets, strengthening digital capabilities, expanding into non-traditional destinations and taking advantage of the peso’s competitiveness.

Ortiz-Luis also pointed out that developments under the Philippines’ ASEAN 2026 Chairmanship will directly improve the trading environment. These include the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, along with the expansion of ASEAN FTAs with Canada, Korea, Australia and New Zealand, initiatives that aim to foster a more predictable, rules-based and digitally integrated regional market supportive of export growth.

He reported that Philippine goods exports reached $70.43 billion in the first ten months of 2025, while imports hit $111.75 billion, marking the second-highest level on record. As factories continue meeting orders, PHILEXPORT has sustained its advocacy efforts on issues involving financing access, governance, raw material shortages, tighter market requirements, supply chain disruptions and compliance burdens — challenges felt most acutely by MSMEs.

Ortiz-Luis reiterated the call for government to increase funding for export promotion and MSME support to help the country’s exporters compete more effectively in the global marketplace.

“The rise and fall in our export performance, particularly of goods, brings us back to the imperative of diversifying export portfolios and enhancing competitiveness in key sectors,” stressed Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. in his president’s report at PHILEXPORT’s second quarter general membership meeting.

His statement comes as merchandise exports rebounded in the first two months of the year after falling in 2023. Goods exports expanded by 9.1% to US$5.94 billion in January 2024 from the same period last year, recovering from a 0.5% fall in December.

The rebound in January also marked the first growth in goods exports since August 2023, according to William Tiu-Lim, PHILEXPORT trustee for the fresh and processed food sector, in his opening remarks at the meeting held April 16. It was the fastest growth in 14 months, driven mainly by a sharp increase in the sale of electronic products.

Merchandise exports further rose in February, recording a 15.7% growth and reversing the 18.3% decline in the same period last year, with electronics remaining the country’s top export.

However, despite reports of improved performance in January and February, Ortiz-Luis warned that the export horizon remains uncertain.

“(We) see a very fluid performance from our exports this year due to the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, among others factors. This means that the $143.4-billion target set in the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2023-2028 is impossible to achieve this year; possibly in two-years’ time,” he said.

In view of this it is crucial for the Philippines to extend its export reach to more destinations, primarily through the pursuit of more FTAs, he continued.

Ortiz-Luis said the country’s exports stand to gain a big push with the ratification in September last year of the Philippines-Korea FTA. This agreement is expected to remove tariffs on most products from the two countries, providing greater market access in South Korea for Philippine bananas and processed pineapples.

The Philippines is also seen to make significant gains should it close an FTA with the European Union, the country’s fourth largest trade partner. The comprehensive trade deal now currently under discussion will include market access for goods, services, and investments; the removal of trade obstacles; and the protection of intellectual property rights including Geographical Indications.

However, Ortiz-Luis said caution should be exercised on provisions that could pose as trade barriers for a developing economy like the Philippines, such as the EU’s policy on de-carbonization of imports.

He likewise noted the potentials of the German market as the country has emerged as the world’s third largest economy after Japan slipped into recession last year.

“With a GDP of $4.5 trillion, Germany now sits behind the United States and China in terms of economic power, and narrowly leads Japan, which has a GDP of $4.2 trillion,” he said.

Nonetheless, he maintains that Japan as the fourth largest economy in the world continues to be a key partner for the Philippines.

“We are anticipating the positive outcome of the recent meeting among President Marcos, US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last week that is expected to result into more jobs and more investments for Filipinos,” Ortiz-Luis said.

The executive also noted rising expectations as initial exploration for an FTA with the Middle East has started, saying a trade pact could remove some of the challenges facing seafood exports to the region.