FREE TRADE REGIMES such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Economic Community (AEC) have ushered in zero to minimal tariffs for the export of goods and services, but non-tariff measures have become more pronounced, the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) said yesterday.

“These are often more expensive and challenging as they come in various forms and charges,” said Ma. Flordeliza C. Leong, assistance vice-president of Philexport’s advocacy and communications department during a forum on tariff liberalization yesterday at the Asian Institute of Management yesterday.

She said local exporters have become “apprehensive” of AEC because they see their products as more expensive than those offered by their counterparts in the ASEAN.

She said Philexport was looking at measures to prepare exporters for regional integration including the identification of specific products that are competitive in the region in terms of pricing.

She added that the country’s ASEAN-based commercial attaches were also looking at matching exporters with potential buyers as well as investors from the countries they trade with.

The trade association is looking at setting up an updated database to keep exporters updated with the growing list of ASEAN non-tariff barriers, Ms. Leong said.

The country’s “game plan” also includes helping improve the local financing regime especially for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), she said, adding that exporters are seeking P20 billion in “emergency lending” towards this end.

“Having torn down the tariff barriers, what is left is the equally important task of developing and sustaining an environment where MSMEs, particularly exporters, are able to participate effectively and efficiently in the integration,” Ms. Leong said.

Source: bworldonline.com