ASEAN vows to speed up reforms in customs sector

ASEAN vows to speed up reforms in customs sector

JAKARTA (JP): Senior customs officials of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ended a two-day meeting here
yesterday pledging to accelerate reforms in customs
administration.

The directors general of customs of the nine ASEAN member
countries said in a joint statement that the acceleration of
customs reforms was essential to limit impacts of the economic
turmoil which has battered the region since last July.

"Customs plays an important role in determining the
competitiveness of both local and multinational companies while
facing the trade liberalization era," they said.

"Steps should be taken both nationally and regionally to
ensure that confidence is maintained in the private sectors."

The customs officials also called for the need to maintain a
low cost and conducive business and investment climate in the
region to lure more foreign investors.

"This should be achieved by enhancing the ability of customs
to reach the dual objectives of trade facilitation through
effective customs control and efficient revenue collection," the
officials said.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Intra-ASEAN trade should be promoted and the implementation of
the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) should be accelerated, the
directors general said.

They also agreed in the meeting to take steps to facilitate
intra-ASEAN trade and to further deepen economic integration in
the region through the expansion of a "green lane system"
covering all ASEAN products which satisfy ASEAN-origin criteria.

Under the system, clearance time is to be reduced through a
decrease and simplification of customs procedures required for
products, they said.

The directors general also stressed a need to establish
region-wide customs facilities, such as regional transshipment
procedures, duty drawbacks, free zones and periodic declarations
for ASEAN companies to speed up business activities.

"Such facilities would accelerate on-going harmonization
activities, especially tariff nomenclature, customs valuation and
procedures," they said.

Indonesian Director General of Customs and Excise Soehardjo
said earlier that all ASEAN member countries were expected to
harmonize tariffs by 2000 as part of ASEAN's Customs Vision 2020.

The vision sets targets in classification, cargo processing,
valuation, automation, transit and temporary admission and mutual
assistance, the officials said. (aly)