SUSTAINABLE TRADE FACILITATION. The Philippines ranks second in Southeast Asia in the UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation 2023, according to the Bureau of Customs on Tuesday (Aug. 8, 2023). The Philippines shared the same rank with Indonesia and Malaysia, with around 87.10 percent trade facilitation score, next to Singapore. (Photo courtesy of Bureau of Customs)
MANILA – The Philippines ranked second in Southeast Asia for its progress in terms of digital and sustainable trade facilitation, according to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Tuesday.
"This accomplishment reflects our nation's dedication to embracing technological advancements and creating a more sustainable and inclusive trade environment," BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said in a statement.
In the 2023 UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation, the BOC said the Philippines followed Singapore with an 87.10 percent trade facilitation score.
"With the scores that the country gained for 2023, the Philippines, together with Malaysia and Indonesia, placed second in the Southeast Asian region, following Singapore with a score of 96.77%," it said.
This is higher than the country's trade facilitation score of 86.02 percent last 2021.
The Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia were followed by Thailand, Cambodia and Brunei Darussalam for the third to fifth ranks, respectively.
Among the contributory factors include the customs' participation in regional initiatives and the implementation of paperless trade through the BOC's joining in the "Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (CPTA)."
The BOC also cited its expansion of the "ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Single Window Agreement through the electronic exchange of the electronic Phytosanitary Certificate (e-Phyto)."
It assured to continue pushing for "digital transformation" to ensure ease of doing business, as well as strengthen innovative trade systems. (PNA)
