ICC has called for the early implementation of the ATA
Carnet system in the Philippines
during a workshop in Manila
on 26-27 August 2009.
The workshop, conducted by Mrs Lee Ju Song, ICC Asia
Director, organized in collaboration with the Confederation of Asia-Pacific
Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) and the Philippine Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (PCCI), sought to educate representatives from the Bureau
of Customs of the Philippines (BOC), Bureau of Export Trade Promotion, the
Philippines financial industry and PCCI on the benefits of the ATA system for
both public and private sectors.
The ATA Carnet – also known as the “passport for goods”,
“passport to international trade” - is an international customs document issued
by a network of authorized chambers of commerce and similar business
organizations to facilitate the duty, tax and hassle-free temporary admission
of goods into one or more of the 66 countries currently members of the ATA
International Guarantee Chain managed by ICC.
In his opening remarks to the workshop, Edgardo Lacson, PCCI
President, informed participants that PCCI hopes with the ATA Carnet to help businesses
in the Philippines
showcase their products overseas and assist in the recovery of the battered
export industry.
The Honourable Napoleon Morales, Commissioner of Customs of
the Philippines, told participants
that the implementation of the ATA Carnet System will enhance customs procedures
in the Philippines.
Mrs Lee urged early implementation of the ATA Carnet System
as it will help speed up the internationalization of trade and customs
procedures in the Philippines. The ATA Carnet is the most successful example
of co-operation and trust built over the years between the public and private
sectors. Its early implementation will
also help the Philippines
create a more conducive business environment, said Mrs Lee at the workshop.
The joint workshop is part of an ongoing collaboration
between ICC and CACCI to help the growing business community in Asia successfully develop their export markets.
The two-day workshop concluded with the endorsement of the
PCCI and the BOC for an early implementation of the ATA Carnet System in the Philippines.
It was also agreed that it would be implemented in phases, starting with a
pilot Bilateral Carnet System to be implemented this year, between the Philippines and Taiwan.