AFPI to organise safetyawareness conference
By 2010, all shipments from the Philippines and other countries to the US will no longer be allowed entry unless they have been scanned 100 per cent prior to departure from port of origin. Similarly, the European Union and the other trading countries are setting up counterpart initiatives to likewise protect their borders from the threats of terrorism.
To tackle the myriad of issues, concerns and questions regarding the implementation of such drastic measures, the Aircargo Forwarders of the Philippines, Inc (AFPI) in partnership with the World Customs Organisation and Philippine Bureau of Customs is organising an International Security Awareness Conference on the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, as well as the concept of meaningful standards of the Authorised Economic Operator. The conference is scheduled to take place at SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City on May 13-14, 2008.
Highlights of the conference include a presentation by WCO on the directions since the adaptation of SAFE Framework of Standards last June 2005; an overview of country’s AEO Programmes by resource speakers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, European Union, China, Hongkong, Japan, Australia, Secured Trade Partnership of Singapore, CTPAT USA and TAPA; and a presentation by the Philippine Bureau of Customs, whose AEO model will be part of the conference.
Since last quarter of 2007, the AFPI leadership headed by Chairperson Cynthia Tsui, President Jim A. Roxas, and legal counsel Atty. Romy Sto. Tomas, initiated a series of dialogues with Deputy Commissioner Nicolas and Chief of International Affairs of BOC, Collector John Simon, pushing for a forum about the concept of Multilateral Institutions’ security framework of standards.
In early March, the AFPI Board organised a courtesy call to Commissioner Morales and finally got the support and endorsement from the Bureau of Customs. According to AFPI Chairperson Cynthia Tsui, "In the Federation of Asia- Pacific Aircargo Association (FAPAA) Executive Council meeting held last August 2007 in Hong Kong, which AFPI attended, air cargo security including the adaptation of WCO AEO was one of the critical issues discussed.
"As an off shoot of the discussion, AFPI initiated talks with Deputy Commisioner Nicolas and Collector John Simon in order to inform the Philippine trading community of the various initiatives which will have a huge impact on the way we do global business."
WCO SAFE Framework of Standards secures and facilitates the movement of global trade while Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) are defined in the SAFE Framework as a party involved in the international movement of goods in whatever functions that have been approved by or on behalf of a national customs administration in compliance with WCO or equivalent supply chain security standards.
Authorised Economic Operators include inter-alia manufacturers, importers, exporters, brokers, carriers, consolidators, ports, airports, terminal operators, integrated operators, warehouse and distributors.
AFPI President, Jim A. Roxas noted that "AFPI as well as other stakeholders, being part of the complete supply chain cycle will benefit from this AFPI initiative conference. It will help us understand how this security framework of standards will secure, facilitate, integrate, enhance, promote and harmonise the supply chain cycle due to SAFE Framework tenet, which is to create one set of international standards and to establish uniformity and predictability thus reducing multiple and complex reporting requirements."
AFPI is one of the signatories to the recommendation for the accession and compliance with the Revised Kyoto Convention (Simplification and Harmonisation of Customs Procedures), which was approved by President Gloria M. Arroyo and endorsed for ratification to Senate President, Senator Manny Villar during the BOC Anniversary held on February 6, 2008. AFPI recognises its role for the BOC to achieve further on their BOC E2 Project, aside from their support to RKC Summits and supports the 2nd Phase – VASP project. This conference will help to shape the future Philippine Bureau of Customs systems and electronic governance in the country.
AFPI has appointed Max Motschmann of European Consulting Asia Corp and Phil and Liza Almonte of Portcalls as project consultants for the Conference.
For inquiries, please call AFPI Secretariat at 853-05498 / 853-2724 or email us at [email protected]