Customs moves to strengthen trade facilitation

MANILA, Philippines —  The Bureau of Customs (BOC) recently held a workshop to improve trade facilitation for the Philippine Trade Facilitation Committee (PTFC).

The event, titled “Emerging Trade Facilitation Tools and Initiatives for the PTFC,” was conducted in collaboration with the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) and supported by the EU-ARISE Plus Philippines Project.

The workshop aims to educate PTFC member agencies on the latest developments under the World Trade Organization-Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO-TFA) and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA). The BOC’s Integrated Risk Management (IRM) system and the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program were key topics of discussion.

Additionally, the workshop featured the PTTC-ARISE Plus Training Platform, a new program designed to equip micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with necessary skills for navigating export rules and procedures in international trade. This initiative is expected to significantly bolster the competitiveness of Filipino MSMEs in the global market.

The event also facilitated interactive breakout sessions, where participants could collaborate across agencies, explore new strategies, and discuss data-sharing initiatives crucial for the AEO program. These discussions are anticipated to enhance inter-agency cooperation, ultimately improving the Philippines’ trade environment and boosting economic growth.

Department of Finance Assistant Secretary Dakila Elteen Napao highlighted the need for agencies to adopt these programs to address current and future challenges collaboratively while PTTC executive director Fe Avila underscored government’s commitment to foster inclusive growth and poverty reduction through enhanced trade facilitation.

Under commissioner Bienvenido Rubio’s leadership, the BOC is committed to simplify trade procedures and enhance the Philippines’ global competitiveness.