This newsletter is made possible by the generous support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this newsletter are the sole responsibility of the TRADE Project and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. The TRADE Project sponsored the 1st Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the enhanced cargo clearance process under the Bureau of Custom’s (BoC) “Super Green Lane (SGL) Program” on 4 February. The SGL facility, established in 2000 under Executive Order 230, is a special customs pre- arrival clearance service meant to improve trade facilitation by giving advance cargo processing and clearance for the country’s top, low-risk and qualified importers. The FGD brought together officials of the BoC, key TRADE personnel, and over 70 representatives from trusted importers such as GE Philippines, Isuzu, Pfizer, Abbot Laboratories and Samsung, among others, to exchange views and share experiences and suggestions towards the future direction of the SGL. Deputy Commissioner Agaton O. Uvero enumerated reforms the BoC intends to pursue in 2014, which include automation of the customs-bonded warehouse system and the streamlining of processes, particularly in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. He outlined a 2-step accreditation process for SGL members currently being finalized, wherein initial vetting is done by the BIR, and final vetting performed by the BoC. A recent DoF Department Order was already issued for this purpose. TRADE DCOP Gareth Davies gave an overview of the TRADE project’s aims in relation to customs, and stressed the responsibility of SGL participants to make sure that an internal system of checks and balances is in place. During the Q&A, the BoC/TRADE panel gave feedback on concerns expressed by the importers’ representatives. Among the issues raised were the necessity of setting up a Top importers laud FGD on pre-arrival clearance process Top left: The Q&A panel composed of BOC officials and TRADE DCOP Gareth Davies (second from left) discusses concerns and issues with representatives of the country’s top importers. Above: Ms. Nina Manimtim of General Electric asks how the private sector could help as partners in national progress. permanent SGL office; the timetable and mechanics of the SGL Plus, a program designed to meet the AEC Blueprint’s average cargo clearance time of 45 minutes for most trusted importers and to achieve truly paperless processing; and the responsibilities of SGL members as well as customs brokers in securing permits and other requirements. The discussion was meant to consult with the private sector to help determine how to proceed with the SGL and further encourage more active private participation. A high point came when Ms. Nina S. Manimtim, representative of General Electric, said activities like this helped “open the playing field for Philippines to have international credibility,” and affirmed that despite problems, “change does happen.” She asked: “As credible partners for national progress, what can we do? What support do you need from us, so that this can be stabilized and sustained?” giving voice to the private sector’s willingness to extend further help. TRADE is assisting the BoC in implementing urgent provisions of the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and Phil-US Trade Facilitation Protocol (PUSTFP), particularly with providing a pre-arrival cargo clearance process to authorized operators. FEBRUARY 2014
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
This newsletter is made possible by the generous support of the American People through the
United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this newsletter are the sole responsibility of the TRADE Project and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
The TRADE Project sponsored the 1st Focus Group
Discussion (FGD) on the enhanced cargo clearance process
under the Bureau of Custom’s (BoC) “Super Green Lane
(SGL) Program” on 4 February. The SGL facility, established
in 2000 under Executive Order 230, is a special customs pre-
arrival clearance service meant to improve trade facilitation
by giving advance cargo processing and clearance for the
country’s top, low-risk and qualified importers.
The FGD brought together officials of the BoC, key TRADE
personnel, and over 70 representatives from trusted
importers such as GE Philippines, Isuzu, Pfizer, Abbot
Laboratories and Samsung, among others, to exchange views
and share experiences and suggestions towards the future
direction of the SGL.
Deputy Commissioner Agaton O. Uvero enumerated
reforms the BoC intends to pursue in 2014, which include
automation of the customs-bonded warehouse system and
the streamlining of processes, particularly in the Ninoy
Aquino International Airport. He outlined a 2-step
accreditation process for SGL members currently being
finalized, wherein initial vetting is done by the BIR, and final
vetting performed by the BoC. A recent DoF Department
Order was already issued for this purpose. TRADE DCOP
Gareth Davies gave an overview of the TRADE project’s
aims in relation to customs, and stressed the responsibility of
SGL participants to make sure that an internal system of
checks and balances is in place.
During the Q&A, the BoC/TRADE panel gave feedback on
concerns expressed by the importers’ representatives.
Among the issues raised were the necessity of setting up a
Top importers laud FGD
on pre-arrival clearance process
Top left: The Q&A panel composed of BOC officials and TRADE DCOP
Gareth Davies (second from left) discusses concerns and issues with
representatives of the country’s top importers. Above: Ms. Nina
Manimtim of General Electric asks how the private sector could help as
partners in national progress.
permanent SGL office; the timetable and mechanics of the
SGL Plus, a program designed to meet the AEC Blueprint’s
average cargo clearance time of 45 minutes for most trusted
importers and to achieve truly paperless processing; and the
responsibilities of SGL members as well as customs brokers
in securing permits and other requirements.
The discussion was meant to consult with
the private sector to help determine how to
proceed with the SGL and further
encourage more active private participation.
A high point came when Ms. Nina S.
Manimtim, representative of General
Electric, said activities like this helped “open
the playing field for Philippines to have
international credibility,” and affirmed that
despite problems, “change does happen.”
She asked: “As credible partners for national progress,
what can we do? What support do you need from us, so
that this can be stabilized and sustained?” giving voice to
the private sector’s willingness to extend further help.
TRADE is assisting the BoC in implementing urgent
provisions of the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC),
ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and Phil-US Trade
Facilitation Protocol (PUSTFP), particularly with providing a
pre-arrival cargo clearance process to authorized
operators.
FEBRUARY 2014
TRADE PROJECT STAFF 3F HERCO Center, 114 Benavidez St., Legazpi Village Makati City 1229
Chief of Party: Dr. Cielito F. Habito • Deputy Chief of Party: Gareth J. Davies • Senior Adviser for Trade Policy: Dr. Ramon
Clarete • Trade Policy Specialist: Myrene Bedaño • Component Lead for Trade Facilitation: Cecilia V. Reyes • Adviser for
Trade Facilitation: Edmund C. Guamen • Component Lead for Competition Policy: Gigo Alampay • Research Associate for
Competition Policy: Irish Krystle S. Almeida • Component Lead for Outreach and Advocacy: Katherine Fernandez •
Communications Specialist: Kimi Tuvera • Research Assistant: Abigail Dimalus • Program Officer: Mitos Q. Aldave •
Operations Manager: Paulino B. Bejer • Project Accountant: Imelda L. Mallari • Administrative Coordinator: Rose Catindoy
2 TRADE / FEBRUARY 2014
The Committee on ASEAN Economic Community (CAEC)
held a 3-day strategic and technical planning workshop, jointly
organized with the TRADE Project, from 19-21 February.
The activity was aimed at giving greater operational efficiency
and effectiveness to the secretariat of the CAEC, the
country’s oversight body for ASEAN economic and financial
cooperation, and provided TRADE the chance to determine
how the Project could further integrate into CAEC activities.
TRADE is largely focused on assisting the Philippines meet its
obligations under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)
and other free-trade agreements, thus helping the country
attain higher levels of trade, foreign direct investments and
inclusive growth. It is collaborating with the Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI), as Chair of the CAEC, to develop a
4Cs (Compliance, Competitiveness, Communication and
Collaboration) strategy to the AEC, which envisions a region
fully integrated into the global economy by 2015.
The workshop paved the way for the development of the
CAEC Work Plan 2014-2015 as well as operating guidelines
for CAEC’s secretariat function and for coordinating with its
Workshop, a move
closer to AEC TRADE’s Chief of Party, Dr. Cielito Habito, spoke at a forum
on ASEAN integration in Cebu City on 19 February. The
event, hosted by SGV & Co. and Cebu’s English daily Sun
Star, was designed to help the Cebu business community
prepare for AEC integration in 2015. It featured DTI
Secretary Gregory Domingo as the keynote speaker.
Dr. Habito began his presentation by introducing TRADE’s
objectives to the audience composed of Cebu’s business
leaders. He stressed Cebu’s ideal position as an economy
with vigorously export-oriented industries, in addition to
already being well-connected to the region via air and sea
transport. He went on to outline the challenges and
advantages of ASEAN integration, and expressed confidence
in the economy’s resilience, especially since the Philippine’s
trade relationships in ASEAN today are largely
complementary rather than competitive in nature.
TRADE, in partnership with private organizations such as the
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI),
provides technical assistance to government partner agencies
such as the DTI, NEDA, Bureau of Customs, etc., in order to
enhance trade and investment policy, trade facilitation,
competition policy, as well as widen public outreach and
advocacy of trade-related reforms.
TRADE COP Dr. Ciel Habito at the planning workshop with personnel
from selected key CAEC agencies.
TRADE COP
leads Cebu AEC forum
sub-committees and technical working groups. The planning
activity was participated in by personnel from selected key
CAEC agencies, with TRADE providing technical assistance
via resource persons, as well as administrative and logistics
support. A follow-up CAEC-wide action-planning workshop,
planned for mid-March, will give TRADE the opportunity to
present the AEC Compliance Plan, as well as the results of
the CGE modeling undertaken for Philippine participation in
AEC.
Deputy USTR stops
briefly in Manila
Deputy Assistant Trade Representative for Asia-
Pacific Karl Ehlers and USAID Mission Director
Gloria Steele are shown here in a 24 February
lunch meeting hosted by TRADE. Mr. Ehlers made
a few days’ stopover in Manila following a trip to