-
The development of a study on a new-generation ASEAN Single Window is being discussed by the Department of Finance and Bureau of Customs with the ASEAN-USAID Partnership Program
-
BOC said the aim is to enhance the current ASW to also allow the exchange of electronic documents with ASEAN dialogue partners such as the US, China, Japan, and Korea
-
Recommendations for enhancing the ASW included improving technical compatibility with global trade systems, developing mobile-friendly versions, and improving accessibility for MSMEs
The development of a study on a new-generation ASEAN Single Window is being discussed by the Department of Finance (DOF) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) with the ASEAN-USAID Partnership Program.
BOC said the aim is to enhance the current ASW to also allow the exchange of electronic documents with ASEAN dialogue partners such as the US, China, Japan, and Korea.
ASW is a regional initiative to speed up cargo clearance and promote regional economic integration by enabling the electronic exchange of border documents among the 10 ASEAN member states. USAID provides technical assistance to ASEAN’s sectoral working groups and the ASEAN Secretariat, including in helping advance the ASW.
The session between DOF, BOC, and ASEAN-USAID Partnership Program delved into the policy, legal, and technical aspects crucial to advancing the next-generation ASW, BOC said in a statement.
The Philippines’ challenges in crafting policies and technologies for electronic document exchange with trading partners and the ASW were also addressed in detail, BOC added.
BOC acting deputy commissioner for Management Information System and Technology Group Michael Fermin also shared the Philippines’ proactive measures, particularly the National Feasibility Study on Cross-border Electronic Exchange, jointly conducted with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
BOC said recommendations for enhancing the ASW included improving technical compatibility with global trade systems, developing mobile-friendly versions, and implementing robust data quality control.
Further suggestions focused on enhancing data security, expanding electronic document exchanges, and improving accessibility for micro, small, and medium enterprises were also discussed.
The ASEAN-USAID Partnership Program will provide the intermediate report on the new generation ASW study at the 68th Technical Working Group Meeting for the ASW, which is slated to take place in Cebu City from September 10–13, 2024.
“This partnership underscores the BOC’s dedication to advancing trade facilitation and strengthening the Philippines’ role in ASEAN and global trade,” Customs commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said in a statement, adding that the collaboration aims to drive significant improvements in trade processes.
Aside from the enhancement of the ASW, BOC earlier said a proposal for the development of a new National Single Window (NSW) system is being discussed by government. The NSW is the platform required in order to connect to the ASW. Currently, the Philippines is using TradeNet, which serves as the country’s NSW.
