EDC prods lawmakers to approve export bills

CEBU, Philippines - The Export Development Council has reinforced its effort to protect the sector from possible glitches in trade facilitation in the upcoming ASEAN integration, by pushing lawmakers to approve house bills supporting this concern.

In a statement, EDC deputy executive director Emmarits Mijares said that there is now an ongoing move from private sector groups, like the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philexport and some government agencies to consolidate their positions specifically on House Bill 0005 and 0010.

House bill 0005 is an Act to prescribe the Customs Modernization Act of 2013; while HB 0010 is an Act to stipulate the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act  of 2013. CMTA seeks to modernize the Bureau of Customs, making the agency compliant with global customs administration standards.

According to Mijares the bills aim to also comply with the Revised Kyoto Convention to which the Philippines acceded back in 2010. RKC simplifies and standardizes customs procedures and documentation as prescribed by the World Customs Organization.

"We support the bills allowing the exporter or his authorized representative, not necessarily a customs broker, to file his export declaration," she said.

EDC, she said backs the complete computerization under the proposed laws, noting that the computerization must have a legal basis for lodging export declarations and import entries via the internet.

The implementation of computerization and the national single window must be accelerated to comply with the country's commitment to become part of the ASEAN Single Window, she added.

The House of Representatives is now preparing a substitute bill where some provisions in the anti-smuggling bills can be incorporated, Mijares said.

HB 0005 stipulates the policy of the country to promote and secure international trade, enhance government revenue, prevent smuggling and other fraud against customs, and modernize customs and tariff administration.

Meanwhile, in an interview with EDC Visayas representative Alan Suarez, he said that aside from the trade facilitation issues, exporters are generally ready to face the opening of the regional market in the ASEAN region.

“ASEAN integration does not worry the exporters,” said Suarez.

While export sector is still protecting its turf and market share in the world, including the penetration of the emerging markets, Suarez reiterated that the sector badly needs government’s assistance, in terms of policies and favorable laws.

Suarez said that major problem of export sector, is not about the upcoming ASEAN Integration, as they are already used to compete with other ASEAN exporters, but the sector needs help in terms of conducive and updated policies from the government, including the easy and harmonious entry to different Free Trade Agreements  entered by the Philippines in different countries.

The ASEAN market remains to be the Philippines’ second top export destination, accounting for 22-percent share in the total merchandise exports in May 2013 at US$1.2 billion.

ASEAN is also an important source of raw materials and other imported goods for the country. (FREEMAN)