BOC to collaborate with WCO on trade facilitation

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Tuesday said it is collaborating with the World Customs Organization (WCO) on trade facilitation as it aims to make the country’s customs administration at par with global standards.

In a statement, the BOC said representatives of WCO paid a courtesy call with Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, during which various programs and trade facilitation measures under the Mercator Programme were discussed.

The Customs said that the Mercator Programme embodies the global customs community’s commitment to trade facilitation, in particular the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

The BOC and WCO discussed Customs Organizational Development, Customs Organizational Development projects, including the National Customs Trade Facilitation Champions, Competency-based Human Resource Management, Integrity Development, Leadership and Management Development, and Gender Inclusivity.

The discussions also touched on the TFA Technical Measures, such as the Time Release Study, Expedited Shipment-Air Cargo Streamlining, Authorized Economic Operator Program, Risk Management, and the National Customs Enforcement Network, according to the BOC.

The agency said WCO committed to provide inputs on the effective implementation of the projects of the BOC. —Ted Cordero/ VAL, GMA Integrated News