National Export Congress 2020 doubles down on digitalization

The Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), in partnership with the Export Development Council (EDC) and the Confederation of Philippine Exporters (PHILEXPORT), is set to conduct the first-ever virtual edition of the National Export Congress 2020 (NEC 2020) on Dec 3.

The first virtual edition since its inception in 2001, NEC 2020 anchors on the theme: “Digitalization Boost: Invigorating Exports in the New Normal.”

The event is free and open to existing and aspiring exporters. Attendees can register at bit.ly/attendNEC2020 or watch live on the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau’s (DTI-EMB) Facebook page.

This year’s event builds on the 2019 Congress, themed “Driving Exports Through Digital Transformation” and seeks to encourage exporters to digitally transform different aspects of their business in the light of the disruption brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Now more than ever, exporters need to be equipped with digital tools to help them adapt to a more socially-distant future. Thus, we have invited experts from different fields to share best practices,” said DTI Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman.

Distinguished speakers include DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, DTI Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman, and PHILEXPORT President Sergio-Ortiz Luis, Jr. Secretary-General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre Fujita Masataka will also talk about how digitalization can pave the way to more resilient value chains.

Two panels will tackle digitalization in several fields. The first panel will be on manufacturing, payments, logistics, and skills upgrading and retooling. While the next one will be on connectivity, e-commerce, and education and training.

Speakers in the first panel include EMS Consulting Group President Ferdinand Ferrer, GCash Head of Key Merchants and Acquirers Maria Ana Leticia Pascual, Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines President-elect Pierre Carlo Curay, and Employers Confederation of the Philippines Director Antonio Sayo.

The second panel will feature Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary for Special Concerns Emmanuel Rey Caintic, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Director Melchor Plabasan, DTI Assistant Secretary Jean Pacheco, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Deputy Director-General Rosanna Urdaneta.

TV personality Salve Duplito and Ryan Evangelista, the Southeast Asia Regional Director of the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), will serve as moderators.

SheTrades PH Hub, an initiative for economic empowerment of women by the DTI-EMB and the International Trade Centre (ITC), will also be launched at the NEC 2020. The launch will be led by Lopez, Macatoman, and ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton. A panel discussion will follow, showcasing inspiring Filipina business owners.

The NEC is the culminating activity of the National Exporters’ Week (NEW), celebrated every first week of December per presidential proclamation 931, Series of 1996, and House Resolution 33. During the week, exporters can attend Usapang Exports, a series of talks targeted for specific sectors.

Apart from panel discussions, the NEC will feature an Export Enablers’ Exhibit with export-related services of government agencies, financing institutions, startups, and other trade-related organizations.

Another NEC highlight is the awarding of the top exporters of 2019.