MANILA -- Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero has recently signed a Customs Order creating a Project Team which aims to strengthen trade facilitation capacity in the Philippines based on the provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariffs Act (CMTA) and the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA).

This Project Team, headed by Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip C. Maronilla, will work with trade facilitation experts from the International Trade Centre (ITC) under the ambit of the EU ARISE Plus Philippines Project focusing on the “Category C” provisions as notified by the Philippines under the WTO TFA, in strong coordination with the Bureau of International Trade Relations (BITR) of the Department of Industry (DTI). Technical assistance will also be provided in close collaboration with other Trade Regulatory Government Agencies (TRGAs).

For its initial implementation, activities for the four (4) priority trade facilitation areas were identified such as capacity building of the Secretariat under BOC for the newly established Philippine Trade Facilitation Committee (PTFC); support in the preparation of recommendations and best practices for Integrated Risk Management and relevant trainings; preparation of discussion papers on available options for e-commerce related taxation regulations; and support in the design and validation mechanisms of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program.

Other areas will be identified by the Project Team next year. Overall, these activities aim to contribute in enhancing cross-border trade environment, including support in the ease of doing business and attracting investments through strengthening institutional and regulatory frameworks in the country. (BOC)