US firm tapped for Asean customs link

United States-based software firm Axway has been tapped to help advance the ongoing pilot implementation of the Asean Single Window (ASW) project, which electronically links up the customs systems of seven member-countries including the Philippines.

The ASW—the establishment of which is supported by the US Agency for International Development—is meant to reduce the time needed to process import and export documents, and help bring forward Asean’s goal of putting up a single economy by 2015.

The project also receives support from the US Department of State under its Asean Development Vision to Advance National Cooperation and Economic Integration or Advance program.

Axway vice president Paul French said in a statement single window programs have the potential to serve as the backbone of economic growth for emerging free trade zones, where speed of delivery and visibility in the entire import and export process is very important.

The electronic single window enables companies and traders to submit import, export and transit data only once, thus streamlining the entire import and export process.

Arizona-based Axway has been chosen to provide business-to-business integration solution that will run the ASW system.

Of the 10 Asean members, the ASW pilot test involves the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei and Vietnam.

The rest are Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, which still need to improve their internal capabilities before joining the ASW system.

Last February, Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said at least 40 government agencies that are authorized to issue import and export clearances will now be linked with the Philippine’s electronic National Single Window (NSW) system.

Without an NSW—which is the domestic version of the ASW—a country has no capability to join the region-wide single window system.

Biazon said the Philippines will also be able to hook up with the regional Asean Single Window with the completion of the country’s NSW loop and the start of its operation through the signing of a pact among the agencies.

“This will help the bureau enhance its efficiency and integrity but, most importantly, it will facilitate faster service in the BOC,” he said. “This will make the Philippines an attractive investment area and trading partner not only among the Asean community, but for the entire world as well.”