While furniture in Cebu remains one of the top ten export products of the country today, the industry continues to woo government for support.
Michael Basubas, president of the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation (CFIF) appeals to the government to act and address the issues of the local furniture manufacturing industry which is also helping produce employment in the country.
“Unfriendly trade policies and inconsistent implementation of government (export) regulations including the Anti-smuggling Bills and RA9280 of the Customs Broker Act which entail additional costs to exporters, among others, greatly affect the industry” explained Basubas.
CFIF has been lobbying in the Senate to amend some legislations which threaten to hamper growth and competitiveness of the furniture export industry.
Cebu’s furniture industry calls for serious government support as the industry shows signs of losing its share in the competitive global market in the past five years. This, as government recently reported a positive outlook on export as a sign of growing political and economic stability.
“It’s true in the field of call centers, tourism and IT, but full support should also be given by government in boosting furniture exports. In Cebu alone, over 200,000 people are directly and indirectly employed in the industry and these are mostly those who cannot be absorbed by the IT industry,” stressed Basubas.
CFIF cited the Philippine furniture industry’s declining export growth rate of 6.9 percent since 2000 and the Philippines’s Asian neighbors are posting positive export growth, particularly China.
According to Basubas, China has the biggest global market share in the furniture export with 11.9 percent among Asian countries in the last five years, while Philippines has only .54 percent.
While CFIF continues its appeal and hopes for a positive reply from government, the group continues to stay active and supportive to government activities promoting and boosting the economy thru the up coming Sandugo Regional product Showcase on July 20-23 in Bohol. (gfg/PIA)
