Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque on Tuesday encouraged exporters to fully leverage the opportunities presented by the growth in Philippine exports, aiming to further strengthen the sector.

This call follows the announcement of continued growth in merchandise exports, which saw a 13.8 percent increase in October, reaching $70.43 billion, up from $61.9 billion during the same period last year. The data, released by the Bureau of Investments (BOI), marks the 10th consecutive month of growth for the sector.

The growth continues to be led by the electronics sector, which rose 11.7 percent to $40.82 billion, compared to $36.54 billion in October 2024. Key contributors within the electronics sector included:

• Electronic Data Processing, which posted the highest growth at 16.1 percent
• Consumer Electronics, up 15 percent
• Semiconductors, growing 11.6 percent

As of October, electronics accounted for 50.1 percent of the Philippines' total exports.

Non-electronics exports also saw a significant increase, rising 16.8 percent to $29.61 billion, and representing 49 percent of the total export value.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) attributed this expansion to the sustained momentum of semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing, supported by both export diversification and increased demand from major trading partners.

During the opening of the 2025 National Exporters Week at EDSA Shangri-La in Mandaluyong City, Secretary Roque urged stakeholders to maximize the positive export trajectory.

“Let us work together to ride this wave of opportunity and position the Philippines as a global trade powerhouse,” Roque said. “Let us not just make waves. Let us create a tide that lifts every Filipino in this Bagong Pilipinas.”

PNA PHOTO