The Export Development Council (EDC) forges the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) to ink a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to strengthen the partnership in enhancing trade facilitation and further support the development of the export industry. DOF Secretary Sonny Domiguez and DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez are both optimistic on the agreement.

The said MOA aims to strengthen the partnership of the concerned agencies on the following aspects: 1) Establishment of a feedback mechanism in resolving trade facilitation issues; 2) Improvement of data capturing and database sharing of exporters registry, foreign buyer/importers availing Preferential Tariff, and Free Trade Agreements (FTA) utilization; and 3) Review/streamlining of export-related processes and documentary requirements (e.g., Export Declaration, etc.).

The partnership will also boost the cooperation of other agencies. Thus, it is envisioned to realize RA 11032 “Ease of Doing Business Act” on trade facilitation, helping the export industry recover and the Philippine economy be globally competitive. AGPM