On 30 August 2024, the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) attended the 6th Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC) Meeting with the Bureau of Customs PH Commissioner and Chair, Hon. Bienvenido Y. Rubio. CFBCI was honored to become a part of this meeting that was hosted by PHILEXPORT, led by its President, Mr. Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. In this meeting, customs-related concerns were discussed and public-private sector relationships were enhanced.
The meeting was held at the Grand Ballroom of Rizal Park Hotel, and was graced with the attendance of 280 individuals from various industries and sectors. To represent CFBCI, the following officers attended the event: Executive Vice President Gerald Uy Chan, Vice Chairman Mylene Co, Vice Chairman Jimmy Ang, Plenary Member Cary Chua, and Plenary Member Sheryl Tiu.
To formally begin, Mr. Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr., President of PHILEXPORT, delivered welcome remarks in which he commended the Bureau of Customs for its efforts to ensure that the Philippines is not left behind in terms of trade facilitation. He also highly emphasized the significance of modernizing customs operations in achieving government efficiency, higher productivity, and increased competitiveness.
As CICAC was established to cater to the customs-related concerns of industries, the meeting paved the way for a fruitful discussion of various topics. The Bureau also took the opportunity to provide information and deeper understanding of its present initiatives including the implementation of the ATA Carnet which was launched last July 15. Also known as the “passport of goods,” under the ATA Carnet, bonds are no longer required and Tax Exemption Identification (TEI) is no longer requested from a registered party.
CFBCI is delighted to know that our Bureau of Customs has successfully participated in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Customs Business Dialogue held in Lima, Peru. In this dialogue, digitalization of end-to-end supply chains was carefully tackled. During the luncheon, CFBCI officers also had the opportunity to converse with the President of Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Julian Payne. The two parties are looking forward to pursuing future collaborations.
As a Tsinoy organization, CFBCI is glad to hear about the proposed marker commemorating the first, 450-year old, customs house in the Philippines located in Binondo, Manila. The establishment of the marker is expected to take place in October in celebration of the founding anniversary of the Bureau of Customs.
Nearing towards the end of the meeting, Hon. Rubio provided a speech through which he encouraged the participating industries and organizations to remain vigilant and proactive to combat technical smuggling and the proliferation of substandard goods. Hand in hand, the Bureau of Customs and the CICAC will continue to work together to foster positive outcomes. The next meeting will be held on September 27, 2024.
菲華工商總會訊：由菲律濱出口商聯盟（The Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc.簡稱PHILEXPORT）所主辦的第六次海關產業諮詢和顧問委員會（Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council，下面簡稱CICAC）會議，於二零二四年八月卅日（星期五）中午假黎剎大飯店宴會廳隆重召開。會議由菲律濱出口商聯盟會長路易斯博士（Dr. Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr.）及海關局局長盧比奧 (Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio) 二人共同主持。本會執行副理事長曾國強偕同常務理事侯逸蘭、洪海濱，理事梁清江、佘玲玲及西文秘書梅西卡代表本會出席會議；當天共有近三百位商會及企業代表齊聚一堂，討論海關業務相關議題，強調海關加強與利益相關者合作的堅定承諾。
菲律濱出口商聯盟會長路易斯博士致歡迎詞時，肯定了海關局對菲律濱貿易便利化所做的努力，並且強調海關業務現代化對於提高政府辦事效率、生產力和增強競爭力的重要性。隨後，由CICAC主席、亦為海關局局長盧比奧親自召開第六次會議；會議的重點之一是海關局與菲律濱工商總會 (PCCI) 簽署諒解備忘錄 (MOU)。這份具有里程碑意義的協議著重於加強稅收、打擊走私，以及通過共同監控商品和確保公平交易來保護當地產業。
此外，海關局官員詳細說明了於七月十五日開始全面實施的暫准進口證（ATA Carnet）系統，並提供了明確的指引；依照暫准進口證計劃規定，有正式向海關局申請註冊之公司，將不再要求繳交保證金或提供免稅證明書等。
本會領導同仁，在知悉海關局高層出席參加在秘魯利馬舉行的亞太經濟合作組織（APEC）海關業務對話表示欣慰；該次對話主要討論到端到端供應鏈的數字化問題，以提高海關業務的高效率和透明度。餐會中，執行副理事長曾國強等人也與加拿大商會會長白尼（Julian Payne）進行交流，雙方就日後如何加強聯繫及合作交換意見。
此外，海關局還歡迎了一位新成員。目前，中央 CICAC 由 四十五家會員機構和公司組成，而地區 CICAC 則有一百廿二家會員。盧比奧局長榮獲國際集裝箱碼頭服務公司頒發「二零二四傑出成就獎」，以表揚局長的奉獻精神和卓越的領導才能，並獲得 PhilExport 贈送的紀念禮物，以慶祝海關局對行業發展做出的重大貢獻。
在會議接近尾聲時，盧比奧局長致閉幕詞，他對此次富有成效的討論表示感謝，並針對與會者所提出的關注事項作出回應，他強調：「此次會議再次將焦點放在加強我們之間的夥伴關係上，通過共同努力，我們的目標是與充滿活力的全球貿易環境保持同步，並提高貿易便利化程度。我們的承諾是確保菲律濱保持競爭力，並保護當地的產業和消費者」。歷時三個多小時的會議取得豐碩成果。活動最後，全體與會人士在會場合影留念。
第七次海關產業諮詢和顧問委員會會議擬訂於九月廿七日（星期五）中午假馬尼拉大酒店召開。
圖片說明：
上左圖：海關局局長盧比奧與菲律濱工商總會會長Enunina Mangio展示所簽署的諒解備忘錄。
上右圖：為新進會員機構舉行宣誓禮。
中左圖：本會出席領導同仁在會場合影。（前左起）洪海濱，曾國強，梁清江，（後左起）佘玲玲，侯逸蘭。
中右圖：本會執行副理事長曾國強與加拿大商會會長白尼於會場進行交流。
下圖：出席海關產業諮詢與顧問委員會第六次會議的全體賓客在會場合影留念。
