The digital transformation reshaping global trade and its impact on and opportunities for Philippine exporters will be the highlight of the National Export Congress 2019 (NEC 2019) on December 6, 2019.

NEC 2019 is the culmination of the annual National Exporters’ Week (NEW), to be held from December 2 to 6, 2019 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

The five-day NEW 2019 marks the yearly celebration of Exporters’ Week every first week of December. It is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry through the Export Marketing Bureau, in collaboration with the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) and Export Development Council.

With the theme “Driving Exports through Digital Transformation,” NEC 2019 will look at the critical role of technology and collaboration in growing exports, and at innovative ways to enhance the competitiveness of Filipino micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) exporters through digitization.

PHILEXPORT president Dr. Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis, Jr. underscored the need for micro, MSMEs to level up their operations and processes, and improve their business strategies and efficiencies amidst the rapid changes and emerging opportunities in the age of digitalization and e-commerce.

MSME exporters must also be aware of and actively seek out the resources, training, and support available to them from the government and the private sector, he added.

These urgent and relevant issues will be tackled at NEC 2019, which lines up top experts to provide updates and information on, among others, financing support and fintech, self-certification, electronic certificate of origin, innovation programs for exporters, and SME-oriented solutions and technologies. NEC will also give due recognition to the top Filipino exporters of 2018.

NEW 2019 is timely as digitalization is rapidly revolutionizing the trade and commerce landscape, said Ortiz-Luis. He mentioned the results of a recent PHILEXPORT survey on e-commerce that showed most Filipino firms are already aware that going digital is crucial. Half of Philippine companies are now engaged in e-commerce, while those with no online presence have expressed plans to do so.

Aside from NEC, Exporters’ Week will also feature Usapang Exports, which are free information sessions for exporters, and the exporters’ bazaar. PHILEXPORT will also be conducting regional and sectoral consultations with SME exporters during the weeklong event.