BOC upgrades seen to support MSMEs

The Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) modernization plan is consistent with the trade agency’s thrust to enable more micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) to access global supply and value chains, according to Trade Secretary Adrian S. Cristobal Jr.

The modernization plan was expected to bring the Philippines’ customs procedures in line with global best practices by helping ease procedures for local exporters and promoting a more level playing field. The modernization plan was thus expected to largely help “plug our local enterprises, particularly MSMEs, as part of global value chains or as direct exporters of finished goods and services in regional and global markets,” Cristobal said in a statement on Monday.

Cristobal made such remarks after the BOC rolled out information technology (IT) projects in preparation for the passage of the Customs Modernization Act (CMTA).

The CMTA will amend the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines to comply with the World Customs Organization Revised Kyoto Convention, which provided international guidelines for modern and efficient customs practices. Key provisions of this legislation include the reduction of opportunities for corruption and technical smuggling, updating existing laws to address modern business and trade practices, promoting a paperless environment in trade transactions, and reducing the cost of doing business and thus encourage investments.

Cristobal noted the “use of technology solutions to ease documentation and customs procedures would allow our exporters to expeditiously move goods across borders and to capitalize on the growing benefits of our trade engagements.”

The trade chief added the work being done by Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina supported the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s (Apec) Boracay Action Agenda to Globalize MSMEs (BAA-MSMEs).

The BAA-MSMEs aims to pursue regional cooperation in trade facilitation to develop dynamic and global MSMEs. Among the priority actions of the agenda is the simplification of procedural and documentary requirements for MSMEs. Amy R. Remo