Western Visayas eyes global MSME export growth

The Department of Trade and Industry Region VI convened trade stakeholders, provincial focal persons, and partner national agencies on May 26 to refine a strategic export roadmap aimed at bringing more Western Visayas products to global markets.

The session focused on finalizing the Export Development Roadmap for MSMEs of Western Visayas for 2026–2028, a regional framework designed to address operational challenges faced by local exporters.

The activity built on provincial strategies developed during an earlier regional planning workshop moderated by Guimaras Provincial Economic and Development Officer Francis G. Gentoral.

In her message, DTI VI Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Mutya Eusores thanked the members of the Technical Working Group, which includes representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Bureau of Customs, Department of Science and Technology, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine Coconut Authority, Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority, and Department of Economy, Planning, and Development.

Eusores said the participation of partner agencies reflects a whole-of-government approach to addressing export challenges.

She said complex issues such as international certifications, high shipping costs, and logistics require strong interagency coordination.

Eusores said the team is guided by the results of an earlier assessment that identified Western Visayas’ priority export sectors: natural fibers, seafood, coconut-based products, and mangoes.

She urged the group to focus on actionable strategies that would help local enterprises access foreign markets, comply with global standards, and scale up operations.

The invited national agencies are expected to provide technical expertise on production to help regional commodities meet export-quality requirements.

The roadmap’s core objectives include improving production capacity and efficiency, reducing high production costs, and strengthening end-to-end supply chain management through digitalization and automation tools.

These interventions are aligned with each province’s export priorities.

Aklan is working with the fiber authority to expand international shipments of high-quality handwoven natural fibers and processed food to premium European and Japanese markets.

Antique aims to secure organic certifications to bring its muscovado sugar and coconut-based products into niche global organic markets.

Capiz is pursuing investment promotion with the fisheries bureau for high-value aquaculture exports, cut foliage, and fresh or dried seafood.

Guimaras is using its geographical indication branding for its mangoes to reach high-end markets in South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.

Iloilo is positioning itself as a regional hub for high-quality seafood, particularly premium crab meat, as well as specialty muscovado and artisan chocolates for international wellness markets.

The unified regional framework will leverage provincial assets and key infrastructure, including the Visayas Container Terminal in Iloilo, as a global trade gateway.

The roadmap also supports long-term regional goals for direct international flights to major economic hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand.

It also aligns with national policy measures such as the CREATE MORE Act, which seeks to improve the investment climate and support exporters through targeted incentives and reforms.

During the session, participants categorized programs by objective and mapped out lead indicators, timelines, and multiagency resource allocations to create a clear path for implementation.

DTI VI is set to present the regional blueprint to the Economic Development Committee in June.

Support from the committee is expected to pave the way for the roadmap’s endorsement by the Regional Development Council VI.

Once approved, the interagency Technical Working Group will implement the strategies to help increase the scale, compliance, and income of Western Visayas exporters.