PHL JOINS CHINA-ASEAN WORKSHOP TO MOUNT E-COMMERCE INDUSTRY

E-commerce is increasingly becoming a global trend and heading a key component of discussions and decision-making across the ASEAN.

Promoting a clear understanding of the importance of e-commerce in the context of global economic integration and strengthening e-commerce cooperation among government and businesses across the region, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) participated in the China-ASEAN Workshop on E-commerce held on July 29-31, 2015 in Beijing, China as organized by the Department of International Cooperation—Ministry of Industry and Information Technology People’s Republic of China.

“E-commerce has now been a catalyst for a number of economies and continues to expand its market in the world, however there are other factors that need to get done for us not to be lagged behind”, said DTI’s E-commerce Supervising Undersecretary Prudencio M. Reyes Jr. who attended the workshop alongside with Minister and Consul Ivan Frank Olea of the Philippine Embassy to Beijing, China.

“With the potential of future growth of PH e-commerce, this workshop can contribute in creating a plan on integrating technology to facilitate the ease of doing business and its impact to our SMEs and global value chain in having a better access in international market among others,” he added.

Discussions on the said workshop have focused on three main agenda: interconnection, interworking and government service; the innovative practice of e-commerce; and cross-border e-commerce and cross border ecology.

The three-day workshop was attended by ASEAN member states which include the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Lao PDR and Cambodia. Each composed of three participants, representing government authorities for both ICT and E-commerce sectors, E-commerce industry and research institutions respectively.

“Although the government has these initiatives, we are encouraging the private sector to take the lead; to strengthen our collaboration and partnership; to meet the vision of E-commerce,” Usec Reyes stressed.

It can be recalled that with the foreseen boosts of Philippine e-commerce sector, DTI together with the stakeholders sets the groundwork for the formulation of “2020 E-commerce Roadmap” through a forum last December 2014.

Posted By: Lynne Pingoy