THE Philippines, thru the Bureau of Customs (BOC), has completed another milestone in trade facilitation with the formal launching last June 2, 2022 of the ‘Philippines’ Readiness Assessment for Cross-Border Paperless Trade’ together with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP).
BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, chairperson of the National Single Window Technical Working Group (NSW-TWG), spearheaded the event attended by some 400 participants from both the public and private sectors linked via video conference who witnessed the UN-ESCAP ‘readiness report and exchange of trade-related documents affirming the country’s capabilities to support regional and global cross-border paperless trade.
Guerrero, in his statement, expressed the belief that the readiness report “may support the paradigm shift in the way cross-border paperless trade transactions are carried out, and how trade-related operations are modernized, standardized, and harmonized,” adding:
“Further, it strengthens the benefits of having an operational Single Window system as a pivotal prerequisite in accelerating digital connectivity within the region.”
Mr. Yann Duval, UN-ESCAP Chief of the Trade, Investment, and Innovation Division, presented their key findings and recommended action plan for the Philippines under the ‘UN ESCAP Readiness Assessment for Cross-Border Paperless Trade Report.’
The Readiness Assessment Report serves as an important guide in improving trade facilitation in the Philippines. It is composed of four areas that provide a benchmark of the country’s legal and technical preparedness in identifying specific pilot projects, capacity building, and technical assistance needs.
DICT Undersecretary Denis F. Villorente and DFA-UNIO Assistant Secretary Kira Christianne R. Danganan-Azucena conveyed their agencies’ support for the Philippines’ push in accelerating cross-border paperless trade.
In her closing remarks, Finance Undersecretary Antonette Tionko congratulated the BOC and all government agencies for helping the Philippines achieve an overall implementation rate of 86.02 percent under the UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation and encouraged participants to continue the robust public-private partnership in trade facilitation.
The development also made the Philippines as the first ASEAN country to accede to the Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific.
Under the ongoing ‘10-Point Reform Program’ for the BOC initiated by Guerrero when he became customs chief in October 2018, the agency fully commits to continue building programs that are designed to push for complete automation of customs processes, facilitate cross-border paperless trade, and enable online delivery of services to all its stakeholders.