The Bureau of Customs (BOC), through the External Affairs Office (EAO), hosted the 34th Meeting of the ASEAN Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation Working Group (CPTFWG) from March 21 to 23, 2023 in Mactan, Cebu, Philippines.
The progress on ASEAN Customs cooperation under the CPTFWG and its Sub-Working Groups (SWG) and the implementation and commitments relative to the World Trade Organization – Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO-FTA) were comprehensively discussed during the Meeting.
In his welcome remarks, Mr. Michael C. Fermin, Director of the Administration Office and Officer-in-Charge Deputy Commissioner for the Internal Administration Group (IAG), highlighted that the ASEAN CPTFWG confronts an extensive range of challenges to simplify, harmonize, standardize, and modernize ASEAN Customs Procedures in furtherance of a resilient regional trade environment. He further underscored the importance of Customs-to-Customs and Customs-to-Business partnerships and acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the ASEAN Customs in achieving its objectives.
On the other hand, Mr. Lim Teck Leong, Assistant Director General (Policy and Planning, Singapore Customs and Chairperson of the ASEAN CPTFWG, noted that the ASEAN is recovering from the COVID-19 Pandemic. He recognized the need for Customs procedures to keep up with emerging trends. He also emphasized the role of the ASEAN CPTFWG in contributing to setting policy direction, streamlining customs procedures, and strengthening collaboration among ASEAN Member States (AMS).
Port Collector of the Mindanao International Container Terminal, Port of Cagayan De Oro (MCT – CDO), Marietta D. Zamoranos, led the Philippine Delegation. The Members of the Philippine Delegation were, among others, Atty. Clarence S. Dizon, Acting Director, Port Operations Service (POS), Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG); Atty. Julito L. Doria, Chief, Prosecution and Litigation Division (PLD), Legal Service, Revenue Collection Monitoring Group (RCMG); and Coll. Wilnora L. Cawile, Head, EAO, IAG.
The priorities of Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio include proactive engagement with the international community to exemplify a globally competitive Customs Administration and strengthen cooperation with regional and international entities.#
