THE electronics industry expects its five-year road map for increasing exports and investment to be ready by the third quarter.
Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI) President Danilo C. Lachica said the final draft of its Product and Technology Holistic Strategy (PATHS) road map has been approved by the Department of Science and Technology (DoST).
The proposed five-year plan will go up for a final presentation in June to a body made up of representatives from the DoST and the Department of Trade and Industry, which financed the road map. The body’s approval will be followed by the plan’s implementation.
Asked if the plan could be ready by the third quarter, Mr. Lachica, in a text message, said: “I believe so.”
PATHS projects investment in the electronic sector to hit $1.5 billion in 2020; $3 billion in 2025; and $5 billion in 2030. The plan also sets export sales targets of $40 billion in 2025 and $50 billion in 2030.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, electronics products in 2017 made up slightly more than half of total merchandise export sales at $32.704 billion, up 11.2%, which beat the industry’s 5-6% growth target. — Janina C. Lim
