PH assumes lead of ASEAN Customs chiefs

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ASEAN member nations map. Image courtesy of asean.org.
  • The Philippines, through the Bureau of Customs, is set to assume chairmanship of the Association of South East Asian Nations Directors-General of Customs for the period 2021-2022
  • BOC commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero will succeed incumbent chairman Kyaw Htin, director-general of the Myanmar Customs Department
  • The transfer of chairmanship will take place at the three-day 30th Virtual ASEAN Directors-General Meeting to be hosted by BOC this month
  • The meeting will tackle the progress of the various strategic plans for Customs development, regional and international issues, and emerging trends in Customs

The Philippines, through the Bureau of Customs (BOC), is set to assume the chairmanship of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Directors-General (DGs) of Customs for the term 2021-2022.

BOC commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero will be succeeding incumbent chairman Kyaw Htin, director-general of the Myanmar Customs Department.

The transfer of chairmanship will be the highlight of the three-day 30th Virtual ASEAN Directors-General Meeting, which will convene from June 8 to June 10, 2021 and will be hosted by BOC.

The meeting, to be attended by delegates and representatives of ASEAN member states (AMS), will take note of the progress of the various Strategic Plans of Customs Development (SPCDs).

SPCDs are the fundamental agenda of Customs integration in the ASEAN region. These will be reported by the various technical working groups and sub-committees under the purview of the ASEAN Customs as supported by the ASEAN Secretariat.

The meeting will also discuss regional and international issues and emerging trends in Customs with the World Customs Organization and ASEAN dialogue partners, particularly Australia, China, Japan, and South Korea.

The private sector, notably the ASEAN Joint Business Councils, EU-ASEAN Business Council, and the US-ASEAN Business Council, are also expected to attend the meeting to further strengthen collaboration within the ASEAN community.

The ASEAN meeting of Customs directors-general is held annually to strengthen cooperation among ASEAN Customs administrations in combating illicit trade, streamlining and simplifying border procedures, reinforcing collaboration in customs valuation and classification, promoting partnership between Customs and businesses, and promoting more substantial Customs modernization.