Santos, chair of the BIMP-Eaga Business Council (BEBC), was referring to the cross-border movement of goods, people and services in the East Asean Growth Area, the economic sub-region involving areas of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.
The BEBC prescription was directed towards a complex tangle of border protocols related to CIQS (customs, immigration, quarantine and security) among the four countries.
Each country has its respective commitments to various international conventions, protocols and treaties, and over decades has evolved its own set of regulations and documentation requirements.
"Business people are eager to trade across intra-Eaga borders, but lack access to the most basic information on CIQS protocols, which vary from country to country," said Bernardino Vega, vice chair of the BEBC and chair of the North Sulawesi Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia.
"We need to know: What are the requirements and procedures for each border crossing and port of entry, including documentation? Which agencies are involved? Who can assist us in CIQS compliance?" said Vega.
Having realized that the situation was hampering business development in the sub-region, the four governments in 2006 instituted a task force to serve as a consultative forum and catalyst for harmonizing CIQS within Eaga.
Last week the Asian Development Bank, which serves as Regional Development Advisor to Eaga, approved technical assistance to strengthen CIQS operations. This includes building up institutional mechanisms for harmonizing and streamlining CIQS processes and formalities at ports of entry and border crossings.
The BEBC is asking the Eaga governments to set up one-stop CIQS documentation and clearance centers at ports of entry and border crossings; standardize customs and cargo handling rates at each port and ensure that traders have access to this information; and provide a list of accredited customs agents, brokers and importers.
"This will result in greater transparency, consistency and predictability, which are essential for a healthy business climate," said Santos. "These measures will ensure greater efficiency and encourage cross-border trade, tourism and investment."
Based on their consultations with the private sector, the BEBC said, there was a need to keep the business community informed through media and other channels of any changes in CIQS protocols, with an appropriate transition period between approval and implementation of the changes.
The BEBC is requesting customs officials to publicize lists of goods allowed for importation, as well as banned items. They also suggest setting up mechanisms by which businessmen can submit lists of commodities they intend to trade, for review and advice by pertinent CIQS agencies.
The council advocates a regular exchange of information between customs officials in partner trading ports, such as Sandakan, Malaysia - Zamboanga, Philippines; Bitung, Indonesia - General Santos, Philippines; and Tarakan, Indonesia - Tawau, Malaysia,
"This meeting was a good opportunity to express our concerns to customs officials, who are directly involved in facilitating cross-border movement," said Vega. "Once they begin implementing harmonization measures, we would be happy to give them feedback."
The BEBC is also asking the four governments to consider other measures to improve interconnectivity and freedom of movement in the sub-region.
This includes providing incentives to transport firms for servicing Eaga air and sea routes, and reducing tariffs on key Eaga goods such as seaweed, fisheries products, and oil palm products, which can be consolidated at the sub-regional level for markets outside Eaga.
The BEBC, an umbrella organization for the private sector, works closely with the four governments on Eaga cooperation and has been granted "fifth country" status in the sub-region.
Eaga includes the entire sultanate of Brunei Darussalam; Irian Jaya, Maluku, Kalimantan and Sulawesi in Indonesia; Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan in Malaysia; and Mindanao and Palawan in the Philippines. It has a combined population of 55 million. (PR)
