APEC recognizes RP problem on used car imports

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) automotive dialogue partners of the Philippines officially recognized yesterday the used car problem and accepted the legitimacy of policy moves to restrain the entry of such vehicles into the country.

The recognition of the Philippines’ used car importation problem was made during the 7th APEC Automotive Dialogue being held in the country.

According to automotive industry participants, the APEC recognition of the legitimacy of policy moves to restrain, if not totally ban, the entry of imported used vehicles is a significant move.

Such acknowledgment would strengthen the Philippines’ effort to stop the importation of used motor vehicles which is adversely impacting both the environment and economic viability of the new motor vehicle manufacturing industry.

However, the APEC automotive dialogue participants could not offer any further commitment to control the export of used motor vehicles to less developed country members.

In fact, it was stressed in the dialogue that stopping the entry of imported used motor vehicles "is the primary responsibility of the receiving country."

Aside from the recognition of the used motor vehicle problem, the APEC automotive dialogue participants also discussed the issue of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection for automotives, specifically for automotive parts and components in the face of the growing proliferation of fake automotive parts, components, motorcycles and automobiles which poses environmental, safety and economic risks.

There was also discussion on market access and the impact of preferential trade agreements.

Other topics that were discussed included harmonization of regulations and road safety, customs and trade regulations, economic and technical cooperation and information technology.