DTI opens exporters’ week with stronger MSME support

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) opened the 2025 National Exporters’ Week (NEW) with positive momentum as October 2025 export figures rose 19.4% year over year.

DTI Secretary Cristina Roque urged exporters and partners to take full advantage of this year’s programs under the theme “Making Waves: Exporters Driving the Nation Forward.”

“Let us work together to ride this wave of opportunity and position the Philippines as a global trade powerhouse,” Roque said. “Let us not just make waves. Let us create a tide that lifts every Filipino in this Bagong Pilipinas,” Roque said.

Philippine merchandise exports have grown for 10 consecutive months, signaling a strong rebound from the slowdown of the past two years.

From January to October 2025, total exports reached USD 70.43 billion, up from USD 61.90 billion a year earlier, marking a 13.80% increase.

Electronics, the country’s top export, expanded 11.7% to USD 40.82 billion from USD 36.54 billion, reflecting sustained demand for semiconductors and electronic components from major trading partners.

Non-electronics exports outpaced electronics with a 16.8% increase, climbing to USD 29.61 billion from USD 25.35 billion due to stronger performance in manufactured goods, minerals, and agro-based products.

Under a recent U.S. executive order, the share of Philippine agricultural exports to the U.S. exempt from reciprocal tariffs surged from nearly zero to more than 65% of covered categories.

The policy benefits high-value products including coconut oil and derivatives, pineapple and mango preparations, frozen bananas, cassava, baked goods, coffee, and select spices.

Services exports contracted slightly in the first half of 2025, totaling USD 24.43 billion from January to June compared with USD 24.65 billion in the same period in 2024.

The 0.89% decline reflects stable external demand with minimal year-on-year softening in key industries such as Information Technology-Business Process Management, travel, and transport.

Despite the dip, services exports remained largely steady, suggesting the sector continues to perform near 2024 levels.

Overall, the export sector’s double-digit growth signals continued resilience heading into the final quarter of 2025.

Data also show increasingly diversified export destinations, supported by strong expansion in several major markets.

At the NEW 2025 opening, Roque highlighted the sustained recovery of Philippine exports despite global headwinds and cited DTI’s digitalization and streamlined procedures that make exporting easier for micro, small, and medium enterprises.

The Exporters’ Exhibit at NEW 2025 showcases high-quality Philippine products and services that continue to attract global buyers, including a special exhibit featuring foreign brands manufactured in the Philippines.

The Export Enablers’ Counselling Area will open during the National Export Congress (NEC), while Usapang Exports sessions throughout the week will tackle market opportunities, standards compliance, and logistics for women-led MSMEs.

Recent DTI-led missions in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia reported increased buyer interest in Philippine food, coconut products, electronics, beauty and wellness items, and creative services.

One of DTI’s key initiatives, the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Origin Management System, will be launched at the NEC on Dec. 4 to automate and modernize origin determination, certification, and document management for exporters.

Developed through a Philippines–Korea partnership, the system aims to reduce processing time and help MSMEs meet FTA requirements.

DTI will also launch PHX Source, an online discovery platform developed with Qsweep Technologies that features more than 6,000 Philippine exporters and their products.

The platform offers a unified directory, real-time analytics, and engagement tools to help MSMEs expand market access.

Roque reaffirmed DTI’s commitment to the Philippine Export Development Plan 2023–2028 as the nation’s roadmap for a more competitive and innovative export sector.

“The PEDP is more than a policy document,” she said. “It embodies a collective vision that requires the active participation of every stakeholder.”

NEW 2025 runs from Dec. 1–4 and is organized by the DTI Export Marketing Bureau, the Export Development Council, and PHILEXPORT.