The Department of Trade and Industry in Negros Oriental will spearhead an information campaign April 18 on the new free trade agreements benefitting the food industry.

Dubbed “Doing Business in Free Trade Areas”, the campaign will be launched together with the Trade Commission, and in partnership with the Silliman University Nutrition and Dietetics Department.

Discussions will center on food-related opportunities, like markets and products with zero or reduced tariffs, and will give a larger picture of the impact of the FTAs on local trade and commerce.

It will also highlight the 2011-2013 Philippine Export Development Plan.

On April 19, a session with owners of local establishments and other professionals will also take place to explain the FTAs to them.

The newly implemented FTAs include the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, Association of South East Asian Nations Free Trade Area, and five ASEAN regional FTAs with China, Japan, Korea, Australia-New Zealand and India.

Countries like the Philippines enter into FTAs with other nations to promote trade and investment flows, and penetrate international markets while offering trade opportunities for exporters of goods and services.

Understanding emerging and new markets and its instruments such as FTAs will help exporters address new challenges in the global business environment, the DTI said.*PIA

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