Filipino exporters advised to develop unique products for foreign market

Recognizing the growing free trade agreement negotiations between Philippines and other countries, exporters in the Philippines are called to develop unique local products that match requirements of buyers especially from Western countries, as they look at the Philippines as their gateway into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN amid strong international alliances.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Executive President Ferdinand Ferrer said businesses have strong alliances in North America, Europe and South America which are looking for partners in the Philippines.

“So in 2025, what we will do with us exporters is really to align and to match business opportunities with these foreign initiatives and partners that we have,” he said during the recent General Membership Meeting of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT).

“Likewise, they are looking for unique Philippine products to be able to open up new markets within their countries,” added Ferrer, also vice president and trustee of PHILEXPORT for the electronics sector.

He cited balisong, a hand-crafted butterfly or Batangas knife, as an example of these unique products which many Western countries and consumers may be looking for.

Ferrer said they will work with members of PHILEXPORT or any of sister company associations to be able to match their products and services to the requirements of each province in Canada.

“And in Canada, they are willing to train us suppliers for sustainability and compliance. Canada has very strict compliance and sustainability. It cannot be made by minors, it should be green type products. Of course we are not yet at that level but there is a program in Canada that will help suppliers reach the level of sustainability compliant with Canadians,” he said.

Ferrer said the European Union is also looking for suppliers in Asia.

“And they prefer the Philippines and hopefully, we have products and services,” he said.

Moreover, Ferrer said a lot of Europeans want to have manufacturing facilities in the Philippines amid United States President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on all products imported from Canada and Mexico.

“So they (Europeans) can send products to the United States,” he added.