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File photo MANILA - Government officials and the business community have expressed their support for the incoming administration as the camp of President-elected Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. announced the names of its Cabinet members, especially the economic managers. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez and Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said Thursday that choosing Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) president Alfredo Pascual as the next trade chief is "an excellent choice". Pascual is also a former president of the University of the Philippines. "With his competence, integrity, energy, and a wide range of experience in different industries, I know he will steer DTI towards greater heights in the years ahead," Lopez said. "I will be leaving DTI in the most capable hands of Secretary Pascual. (I) will definitely extend my full support to him for a smooth transition and beyond." On
Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez. (File photo) MANILA - Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez again debunked the notion that the country's participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will weaken the agriculture sector. In a radio interview with Radyo Singko 92.3 News FM Monday, Lopez said the RCEP can help Philippine agro-based exports to maximize their potential as they will become more competitive in other markets through the lowering of tariffs. Contrary to the claims that Philippine agro-based exports are weak, the DTI chief said there are agricultural products in which the country is one of the top exporters in the world. These include banana, pineapple, coconut-based products, and tuna, among others. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data show that in March 2022, total exports of agro-based products rose 32.6 percent to USD571.12 million from USD430.82 million in March 2021. Its share in the exports
The domestic franchising sector sees growth accelerating this year with the influx of new breed of franchisees and the issuance of Executive Order 169 that seeks to protect micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and promote entrepreneurship. “As the economy opens up and more people return to in