Q4T seen to drive Philippine exports to EU

MANILA, Philippines — The launch of the Philippines Quality for Trade (Q4T) is seen to potentially increase exports to the European Union (EU) market, according to an official of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport).

“By equipping our exporters with the necessary tools and resources to meet these rigorous standards, the Philippines Quality for Trade (Q4T) platform has the potential to drive a substantial increase in Philippine exports to the EU,” Philexport executive vice president Senen Perlada said.

The platform features cutting-edge information on export quality-related market requirements, regulations and standards to improve market access to the EU.

Perlada said the Q4T platform helps MSMEs overcome the challenges of navigating diverse regulations and standards by featuring specific quality requirements amid the dynamic domestic and global marketplace.

“By understanding and complying with these requirements, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) can increase their chances of successfully exporting their products, gain a competitive edge in global markets, and work towards building a reputation for reliability and excellence,” Perlada said.

The one-stop-shop allows users, including exporters, to also share best practices, connect with relevant institutions or individuals who can offer assistance, and gain insight from those who have already experienced success in the EU and other targeted markets.

By facilitating MSMEs’ compliance with EU requirements, Philexport said the platform plays a crucial role in bolstering the overall quality and safety standards of Philippine products, making them more appealing to both domestic and international consumers.

The Q4T platform comprises integrated and complementary tools –the Quality Compass tool allowing users to discover specific quality-related requirements for identified priority products in targeted destination markets; and the Quality Connect tool serving to connect a global network of national pools of quality experts.

These also include the Quality Insights tool playing an integral role in the overall functionality of the platform as the go-to resource for learning more about different quality-related topics; and the Quality Success tool seeking to inspire readers with a variety of success stories.

“The platform is an essential component of the Philippine government’s broader efforts to promote trade with key market partners such as the EU, and its launch is a positive development for the Philippine economy,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Glenn Peñaranda said.

The Q4T platform has been developed under ARISE Plus Philippines, a project of the Philippine government, with the DTI as the lead partner together with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), as well as the private sector.

It is funded by the European Union (EU) with the International Trade Centre as the technical agency for the project.

In 2022, the country’s exports to EU grew 8.3 percent to $9.2 billion. Exports to the EU accounted for 11.7 percent of the Philippine’s exports.