THE PHILIPPINES declared its support for extending a moratorium on customs duties imposed on media goods ordered via electronic commerce (e-commerce).
In a statement on Thursday, Trade Assistant Secretary Allan B. Gepty said during the 12th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference that e-commerce is crucial to the post-pandemic recovery.
鈥淭here is a need to maintain a stable and predictable digital trading environment not only for big businesses but especially for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and women entrepreneurs to boost economic growth,鈥 Mr. Gepty said.
The Philippines also noted that e-commerce helps integrate MSMEs into the global value chain and facilitates cross-border trade in goods and services.
The Philippines co-sponsored a draft Ministerial Decision aiming to strengthen the WTO鈥檚 e-commerce work program, which 鈥渨ill have significant impact on members, including developing and least developed countries,鈥 Mr. Gepty said.
Separately, Trade Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo said an advantage of a stable and predictable online environment is that it would help boost the Philippines鈥 position as an innovation hub and an attractive location for hyperscale data centers.
鈥淭he Philippines has a robust e-commerce industry and to boost the same, the government has released the e-commerce roadmap 2022 to create an integrated ecosystem that would become the foundation of all industries鈥 developments, long-term employment, and inclusive growth throughout the country,鈥 the DTI said. 聽
WTO members agreed on the moratorium in 1998 but it was never made permanent and legally binding. It has been renewed several times during Ministerial Conferences. It affects products such as photographic film, cinematographic film, printed matter, music, media, software, and video games.
The 12th聽WTO Ministerial Conference was held from June 12 to 15 in Geneva. 鈥 Revin Mikhael D. Ochave聽
