-
The Bureau of Customs welcomed the Philippines’ jump in the United Nations trade facilitation score
-
The country received an 87.1% score on the 2023 UN Global Survey on trade facilitation and paperless trade
-
This placed the Philippines in second spot among Southeast Asian nations
-
BOC credits joining agreements on the Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific and the ASEAN Single Window Agreement for its positive performance
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) welcomed the Philippines’ jump in the United Nations trade facilitation score, receiving an 87.1% on the 2023 UN Global Survey on trade facilitation and paperless trade.
RELATED READ: Philippines lifts UN trade facilitation score to 87.1%
Placing second among Southeast Asian nations from third place in the 2021 survey, the bureau credited its performance to its participation in regional and sub-regional initiatives such as the Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (CPTA) and expanding the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Single Window Agreement through the electronic exchange of the electronic Phytosanitary Certificate (e-Phyto).
These initiatives provide an inclusive and capacity-building inter-governmental platform, leading to a seamless and eventually paperless cross-border trade, BOC said in a statement.
The survey from the fifth installment of the biennial report jointly conducted by various UN bodies provides an in-depth analysis of trade facilitation progress in the country and highlights its achievements in fostering efficiency and promoting international collaboration.
Compared to the 2021 survey, the Philippines improved its score for 2023 (86.02%), ranking it second with Malaysia and Indonesia in Southeast Asia. Singapore led with a score of 96.77%.
The survey noted the Philippines’ implementation of the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement through the Philippine Trade Facilitation Committee.
“We take immense pride in the Philippines’ remarkable ascent to the second spot in the 2023 UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation,” Customs commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said.
“This accomplishment reflects our nation’s dedication to embracing technological advancements and creating a more sustainable and inclusive trade environment,” he added.
