President Gloria Arroyo during the joint Cabinet-Export Development Council meeting held in Palayan, Nueva Ecija last Tuesday, has stressed the need to implement strategies designed to enhance the competitiveness of the country’s exports and services sectors.

Export earnings grew 6.1% to $50.276 billion last year from $47.41 billion in 2006.

Exports grew by just a modest 4.1% in the first half to $25.598 billion from $24.6 billion in the same period last year. The government expects an 8%-9% growth this year.

President Gloria Arroyo ordered agencies to undertake five thrusts, namely:

Reduce power costs for operators operating outside economic zones. The Energy Regulatory Commission has allowed businesses in economic zones to avail of "open access" — an arrangement that allows users to choose the supplier of their electricity. For the state universities and colleges to provide at least 12 units of English proficiency programs to improve the quality of prospective employees of the services sector. Retrain English, Math and Science teachers. Simplify procedures for exports. Mr. Favila said the President wants the Customs Bureau to fast-track the Customs projects designed to reduce human intervention in transactions. Specifically, the President wants e-Customs completed by the first week of next month and the computerization of the issuance of clearances finished by this November. Find ways to reduce wharfage fees, which are some of the most expensive in Southeast Asia.