"Conference on Gearing Up for External Competitiveness (CGUEC)"

CGUEC, one of the key component programs of the BSP-Economic and Financial Learning Program, aims to: (a) promote awareness of exporters/importers and other sectors exposed to foreign exchange (FX) risks about the benefits of hedging and how FX risks could be managed through the use of derivatives; and (b) present the other determinants of external competitiveness (such as quality of products, technology and market size).

The program is specifically targeted for exporters, importers, organizations of overseas Filipinos, business process outsourcing entities, FCDU borrowers and other users of FX funds. It covers the following topics: (a) recent economic developments and outlook (to provide a background on the operating environment); (b) country experiences on raising external competitiveness; (c) hedging products and their benefits; (d) BSP regulations on hedging transactions; and (e) strengthening competitiveness of Philippine exporters of goods and services.

In 2010, four sessions of CGUEC were conducted in Manila (7 May), Cebu City (25 June), Angeles City, Pampanga (27 July) and Davao City (13 September).