Thursday, August 30, 2007 Eaga business council identifies port issues By Joy Romares-Sevilla
THE chair of the Bimp-Eaga Business Council (BEBC) identified specific port to port issues and concerns from the private sector perspective based on on-the-ground consultations.
Antonio Santos, chair of the BEBC, said that during the first Bimp-Eaga heads of customs meeting at the Marco Polo Hotel the private sector sees some issues regarding the customs rules, regulations, and procedures (RRP).
He said there is a lack of information and awareness on customs rules, regulations, and procedures since customs RRP differ from country to country.
"We recommend strengthening cooperation among customs agencies and personnel in partner trading ports, simplifying and streamlining RRP to strengthen facilitation aspect of custom operations, and conduct aggressive information and education campaign among traders on the national customs RRP," Santos said.
He added that the lack of effective and efficient coordination among the Customs Immigration Quarantine Security (CIQS) agencies, and the lack of direct shipping services between strategic Eaga transshipment points are also the port to port concerns raised from the private sector.
Santos said to have an efficient and effective coordination among the
CIQS agencies, the private sector would suggest a consultation with the private sector to identify proactive measures to further improve CIQS.
"Also the establishment of continuing training and capacity building programs especially for local customs personnel will also be helpful," he said.
He also said to address the concern on the lack of direct shipping services between strategic Eaga transshipment points, the private sector suggests that a comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date data on Bimp resources such as agriculture production volume, prices, among others, should be developed.
"We also recommend to help sustain the existing air services in Eaga like the Davao-Manado, Zamboanga-Sandakan, and promote the establishment of more frequent and cheaper flights by providing incentives and assistance," he said.
