TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Philippines (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) presented before Eastern Visayas exporters seven Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) forged by the Philippines with various partner countries during an FTA Information Campaign session dubbed “Doing Business in Free Trade Areas” at Tacloban City’s Hotel Alejandro last Monday, December 5.

DTI Region 8 director, Cynthia Nierras said, “The activity is a national thrust by DTI for international trade groups brought to regions and provinces in order to level the playing field in the export industry.”

Free trade agreements are agreements between two or more countries eliminating or reducing tariffs and other requirements of commerce that restrict trade between them, explained Nierras.

These FTAs, she said, bring a number of trade benefits, primarily tariff elimination or reduction which will make Philippine exports products more competitive.

Last Monday’s information session, which was directed particularly to exporters, distributors, traders, customs brokers, freight forwarders, members of the academe and local media and other government agencies was aimed at increasing awareness and foster appreciation with benefits that may be gained under said trade agreements.

The information session covered discussions on market opportunities for products with zero or reduced tariffs under existing free trade agreements as well as the procedures in availing these FTAs. The sessions also featured businessmen who shared their experiences in utilizing said free trade agreements to their advantage.

Presented to the exporters and other guests in attendance were the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and a number of ASEAN Regional FTAs namely ASEAN-China, ASEAN-Japan, ASEAN-Korea and ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTAs which the country has entered into and are now being implemented.

An overview of the Philippine FTAs PEDP 2011-2013 was presented by Bureau of Import Services director, Atty. Luis N. Catibayan.