The Bureau of Customs (BOC) held several bilateral meetings during the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council Sessions to strengthen cooperation and discuss pending matters.
In a statement over the weekend, the BOC said customs commissioner Bienvenido Rubio held bilateral meetings with the commissioners of Hong Kong Customs and Cambodia Customs.
Among the discussions are the pending agreements on the Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement and Customs Cooperative Arrangement between the Philippines and Hong Kong.
The Cambodian delegation meanwhile reiterated its request for the Philippines to provide a zero-draft text for the Memorandum of Understanding on Customs Matters between the two administrations.
The Philippines’ BOC participated in the 143rd/144th WCO Council Sessions in Brussels, Belgium late last month.
Rubio commended the progress made by the WCO in implementing its Strategic Plan for 2022-2025, which comprises a set of indicators and concrete activities to respond to Customs administrations’ needs in trade facilitation, revenue collection, protection of society and organizational development.
The commissioner also highlighted the BOC’s implementation of the 5-Point Priority Program, which was in line with the initiatives and activities of the WCO.
Furthermore, the commissioner shared information about the establishment of the Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council as a platform for open dialogue among customs and trade organizations.
Under the Capacity Building progress report, the Philippines expressed its appreciation to the WCO for receiving numerous capacity-building opportunities and technical assistance.
These activities provided extended knowledge and capacities for the BOC in its compliance to the Trade Facilitation Agreement of the World Trade Organization through the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme that is funded by the United Kingdom’s His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
