Swiss Import Program Eyes 3 PH Products Potential For Export

The Philippines could export 3 potential products into the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)-Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, according to the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO). SIPPO is now studying natural ingredients, value-added textiles and processed food.

This study is in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and it’s primary objective is to let the Philippines enter the EFTA for better economic opportunities.

For natural ingredients, SIPPO’s study stated that the Philippines has a unique opportunity to be one of the top supplier of innovative and indigenous, through traditional or natural ingredients. The global demand for natural and sustainable products is also rising.

Local products like coconut oil dessicated coconut, calamansi extract, moringa and carrageenan have the highest potential to enter EFTA.

For Value-added Textiles, pineapple fibers, abaca, silk and banana are the most potential products.

“Fabric is the most traded item… It can be a potentially interesting segment as long as the Filipino suppliers are able to meet international silk fabric buyers’ increasingly demanding requirements in terms of creativity, quality, social, and environmental compliance and, of course, prices,” the SIPPO study said.

Meanwhile for Processed Foods, SIPPO is still observing if the country can meet the market access standards including size marking, labeling, packaging and certifications.

Products like dried fruits, frozen fruits and vegetables, coconut palm sugar and syrup, pill nuts, jam, jellies and marmalades have the biggest potential for export.

“We are convinced that the Philippines can find the means, talent, and energy to position the country on the international stage as a supplier of innovative, attractive, and sustainable items especially in the markets of certified and ecological products,” said Alan Gaschen, Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines. (MLC)