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Philippines: Business group wants ban on export of raw materials
MANILA, Philippines — The oldest business chamber in the Philippines is pushing for a ban on the export of raw materials like ore, saying that only companies willing to set up factories locally to manufacture finished products should be allowed to use the country’s mines.
Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands president Jose Luis Yulo Jr. said yesterday his group is talking to lawmakers to sponsor their proposal which seeks to lure more manufacturing investments in the country.
“One of the things we will be pushing this year is to stop exporting raw materials or ore. We should only give the mine to people who will produce a factory and use the minerals to produce a finished product,” Yulo said.
“What we are doing right now is we get the mine, we get the copper ore, we give it to China or Japan, and we import back the finished product. Just think about it, all the wealth goes to them, all the employment goes to them. Us, what we learn is how to dig the ground. Today, we cannot even make a ballpen because we don’t have the technology,” he added.
Yulo said the proposal has been presented to the National Economic and Development Authority and the agency “liked it.”
“We need to allow them to use our resources, both land and water, to bring in factories. Do not export raw materials, use it to bring in and build factories here,” he said.
“What we want is for them to use the raw material to build and we will prohibit the exporting of raw materials, except maybe to a few neighbors that don’t have these raw materials,” Yulo added.
The business leader said the proposal would require amendment to the country’s mining laws.
“We have to revamp the old law. We have to have a congressman who will sponsor it,” he said.
Yulo earlier said the way the Philippines does its mining at present is against the people.He said it is a shame for the country and its citizens that simple products such as eyeglasses, pens and watch bracelets are not manufactured here when in fact, minerals used in these products come from the Philippines.
Source: http://www.philstar.com/business/2018/02/01/1783256/business-group-wants-ban-export-raw-materials