ICC’s World Chambers Federation (WCF) has stepped up activity on the international scene to showcase its work in the standardization of issuance procedures for non-preferential certificates of origin.

Lee Ju Song, Chair of the Certificate of Origin Task Force and Deputy Executive Director of the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce, recently informed an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum – hosted by the Australian Government – on the ICC WCF initiative to raise the level of credibility and acceptance of certificates of origin issued by the chambers for customs administrations.

The forum was attended by delegates from almost all the 21 APEC member economies and included representatives from the World Customs Organization (WCO), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the International Air Transport Association. As a result of Mrs Lee’s participation, ICC will be included in the APEC deliberations on the setting up of a Single Window initiative to promote international trade facilitation and competitiveness.

Earlier in April, Mrs Lee also presented the ICC WCF initiative at a WCO Asia seminar on rules of origin.

With an opening address by Malaysian Deputy Minister of Finance YB Dato' Dr. NG Yen Yen, the meeting took place in Malaysia and brought about a greater awareness of WCF’s efforts to forge an international standard on the issuance procedures for non-preferential certificates of origin – considered by chambers to be a cost effective solution for both business and government agencies.

“My recent activities have given me an excellent opportunity not only to showcase the work of ICC but also to foster closer working relations with the WCO, APEC and the ASEAN,” said Mrs Lee. “As a result we are exploring the possibility of conducting workshops on our certificate of origin work and international guidelines to customs administrations.”

Mrs Lee’s presentation also explored the possible role of chambers in the liberalization of the issuance of certificates for preferential exports.

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