CIDA-Pearl2 allocates P1.5M for GTH exporters' programs

Aside from the total P4.5 million grant given to the Gifts, Toys and Housewares Exporters and Manufacturers (GTH) group in the last two years, the Canadian government, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) - Pearl 2, has again allocated another P1.5 million to the association to support developmental programs of the industry.

Pearl 2 led by Ed Sutherland, and the GTH has inked another Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for another financial support that will expire on March 2006, that Pearl-2 shall provide assistance to Cebu GTH in their programs under five categories.

The five categories identified under the MOU that would be supported by Pearl 2 include; participation of trade fairs, business missions, development of promotional materials, support for secretariat management, and training in management skills.

In an interview Sutherland said the Canadian government has continuously put its faith in the potential of some industries in the Philippines, such as the GTH exporters in Cebu.

He said by helping the SME exporters, expanding their markets, improving their skills, among others, it could contribute large component to alleviate poverty in the country.

The GTH exporters in Cebu, are mostly composed of smaller players in the export sectors, some of them do not have access to financing, in order to broaden the market base, or expand their businesses.

According to Sutherland, the P1.5 million grant for the group is another level of support given by Pearl-2 project, so as to further strengthen the GTH exports, increase their sales.

The lack of financial resources has hold off GTH exporters to expand and maximize its potential in the global market.

"Some of our members cannot really do international exposure because of financial constraints. Unlike other countries, that their government will send those exporters to international trade fairs to boost exports in their respective countries," said GTH president Jenifer Cruz in an earlier interview.

Cruz said the problem of the GTH exporters here is to trail blaze with international competitiveness issue.

"In marketing alone, we are already behind. Only those who can afford who can expose their products well in the international market," he said.

About 50 percent of GTH's total exports go to the United States market. Cruz said other countries are very aggressive in their marketing blitz to bigger markets, such as US and Europe.

With the stiff competition in the global marketplace, Cruz said joining international trade shows is one of the best ways to expand its market coverage and reach significant number of clientele.

He stressed that the entry of Pearl-2 to offer aid to the industry, served as a savior, as the industry is struggling to thrive in the highly competitive international playground.

Pearl-2 is helping 40 to 50 organizations, mostly industry associations in the country today-it based its priority to the government's lists, such as furniture, holiday décor makers, leather goods, organic sector (cosmetics making), among others.