Mindanao, an island group in the Philippines, supplies 99% of country’s rubber production. The island group will be positioned as a rubber manufacturing hub at Philippine Rubber Investment and Market Encounter’s (PRIME) in Davao City on November 10 to 11.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-9 Regional Director and National Coordinator for Rubber Industry Cluster Dr. Sitti Amina M. Jain said it is time for rubber producers in Mindanao to venture into manufacturing.
One of the areas being eyed, according to Jain, is the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority and Freeport (Zamboanga Ecozone).
Jain stressed that thru manufacturing the rubber industry would further contribute to the nation’s economy and help in addressing some perennial problems of the country.
“Last year, we are a net importer of rubber products, which means we are importing rubber products more than we produce. For example, the country imports 100% of surgical and household gloves. We don’t produce it. If we can only have it produced it here, it would benefit us more in terms of employment, and taxes that will in turn be additional fund for infrastructure and social services,” Jain pointed.
Jain further explained, “There is only one car tire manufacturer in the country, which is Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc., and two motorcycle tire manufacturers. If we can encourage more to go into motorcycle tire manufacturing in Mindanao, it would be very beneficial for Mindanao, and this is what we intend to do in the conduct of PRIME 2015.”
To further enlighten the participants, DTI invited seven international speakers, all experts in the field of rubber industry. Jain mentioned Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries Secretary General Madam Sheela Thomas, based in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, one of Singapore’s best consultants Dr. Dar Wong, and International Rubber Research and Development Board’s (IRRDB) Secretary General Dr. Abdel Aziz Kabir as speakers.
Jain said the government’s vision for the rubber industry is “for local producers to venture into manufacturing. By 2030, Philippines will be able to position rubber products in the world market.
“DTI, together with our partner agencies and the private sector will continue to advocate for us to process our own raw materials. This also applies not just with rubber but to all our products,” she ended.