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National feasibility study on cross-border electronic exchange of trade-related data and documents : the Philippines
Get PDFThis study assesses the feasibility of implementing electronic exchange of trade-related data and documents between the Philippines and potential partners in the Asia-Pacific region.
The report begins by examining the background and current context of relevance to the country, including facts and figures on trade facilitation, the perspective of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) – a key focus of the Philippine economy – in relation to paperless trade, updates to the recommendations from the readiness assessment on cross-border paperless trade that had previously been conducted for the Philippines, and international commitments that the Philippines is involved in. This is followed by a discussion and analysis centred on the survey and interview responses collected from Philippine stakeholders involved in the end-to-end cargo clearance process. The implications of these findings for cross-border exchange for the Philippines is presented next, and the report concludes with a list of policy areas for consideration in advancing cross-border paperless trade in the country.
The Philippines has made significant progress in implementing paperless trade and trade digitalization over the years. As the private sector have transformed themselves with digital technologies, expectations for the government to follow suit have also increased. Through the various policies, regulations and measures that have been established for paperless trade, the Philippines is technically and legally ready to exchange electronic data across borders with partner economies. This is reflected in the survey responses from Customs officials, who indicated that most of the core Customs operations are already digitalized, except for a few processes that are still manual. The implication of this is that a company conducting trade should be able to clear its goods shipment without having to physically visit Customs offices.
However, it is not so straightforward in practice – there are still manual processes in the application of permits, licenses, and certificates from the Trade Regulatory Government Agencies (TRGAs). Thus, only freely importable items, goods that may be freely imported to the Philippines without the need for import permits, clearances or licenses, can be cleared paperless. In addition, challenges exist that hamper the digitalization of trade processes, such as the lack of standardized data formats and interoperability among different trade-related systems across government agencies.
Based on the survey responses, the top three (3) documents identified for prioritization for cross-border exchange are the Certificate of Origin, Export Declaration, and Phytosanitary Certificate. As for the top three (3) potential trading partners, both co-chairs of the Philippine Trade Facilitation Committee (PTFC) indicated China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.
Effectively operationalizing prospects and future opportunities in cross-border exchange, however, will require further efforts in enhancing the paperless trade environment in the Philippines. A clear need highlighted by survey respondents is for the systems of the Bureau of Customs and TRGAs to be made more interoperable and integrated, which would especially benefit SMEs as the easing of trade processes are expected to impact their operations and service delivery disproportionately. More seamless trade processes should also enable SMEs to better expand their markets, which in turn is a boost to the national economy.
The report discusses several areas for policy development and further consideration moving forward, including the strengthening of capacity-building, implementation of a standardized digital data governance, use of the National Single Window (NSW), harmonized data-sharing, identity management and trade data protection, the leveraging of emerging technologies, and implementation of an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) scheme for SMEs.Funded by the Government of ChinaTable of Contents
FOREWORD..........................................................................................................................................i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.......................................................................................................................ii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY....................................................................................................................... iii
LIST OF ACRONYMS ......................................................................................................................... viii
1.0 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................1
1.1 Where do the Philippines and Southeast Asia stand in the UN Global Survey on Digital and
Sustainable Trade Facilitation? .............................................................................................2
1.2 How can SMEs benefit from shifting to paperless trade? .....................................................4
2.0 OBJECTIVES ...........................................................................................................6
3.0 UPDATES ON TECHNICAL READINESS ASSESSMENT RECOMMENDATIONS...............8
3.1 Continuing the enhancement of trade-related systems.......................................................8
3.2 Continuing development and enhancement of other trade and IT-related electronic
systems ...............................................................................................................................12
3.3 Updating the PNSW to handle all types of cross-border data ............................................14
3.4 National Government Data Center......................................................................................16
3.5 National Government Portal ...............................................................................................16
3.6 Integrated Business Permits and Licensing System (iBPLS).................................................17
3.7 Inter-agency Information Sharing Initiative ........................................................................17
3.8 Adherence to the National ICT Ecosystem Framework (NICTEF)........................................18
3.9 Implementation of the e-Government Master Plan 2022 ..................................................19
3.10 Conduct of the Annual Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Test (VAPT) ................20
3.11 Update in stabilizing the BOC’s e2M system.......................................................................21
3.12 Strict implementation of the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA).....................................................24
3.13 Data harmonization initiatives ............................................................................................25
3.14 Full implementation of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program......................25
3.15 Implementation of the ATA Carnet System.........................................................................28
3.16 Launch of the E-Government Philippines Portal .................................................................29
4.0 UPDATES ON LEGAL READINESS ASSESSMENT RECOMMENDATIONS .................... 29
4.1 Legislative amendments to the Electronic Commerce Act and Accession to the Electronic
Communications Convention..............................................................................................29
4.2 Enactment of a law related to the management of the NSW.............................................30
5.0 INVOLVEMENT IN INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS............................................. 32
5.1 ASEAN Agreements .............................................................................................................32
5.2 WTO-Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) ...........................................................................33
6.0 METHODOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT .................................................................. 35
7.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION................................................................................... 39
7.1 Survey of the Public Sector..................................................................................................39
7.1.1 The Philippine Trade Facilitation Committee (PTFC) .......................................................41
7.1.2 The PTFC-DTI-BITR...........................................................................................................42
7.1.3 The PTFC-BOC..................................................................................................................44
7.1.4 Customs Authority...........................................................................................................45
7.1.5 Trade Regulatory Government Agencies (TRGAs)...........................................................49
7.2 Survey of the Economic Operators......................................................................................51
7.2.1 Logistics Actors................................................................................................................52
7.2.2 Trading Community .........................................................................................................53
8.0 IMPLICATIONS FOR CROSS-BORDER EXCHANGE ................................................... 56
8.1 What specific documents should be used for cross-border electronic exchange between
the Philippines and potential partner economies?.............................................................56
8.2 Which partner economy should be prioritized for this electronic exchange of trade
data/documents?................................................................................................................60
8.3 Systems and processes that need to be improved / harmonized.......................................64
8.4 What are the costs and benefits of conducting electronic exchange? ...............................68
9.0 RECOMMENDATIONS .......................................................................................... 71
9.1 The NTFC to take the lead in promoting and advancing cross-border paperless trade......71
9.2 Strengthen capacity-building programs and consultations.................................................71
9.3 Implement a standardized digital data governance............................................................72
9.4 Use and enhancement of the National Single Window Platform .......................................73
9.5 The need for a harmonized data sharing agreement..........................................................74
9.6 The need for Identity Management and Trade Data Protection.........................................75
9.7 Leverage modern technology and promote its use ............................................................76
9.8 Develop an AEO Scheme for SMEs......................................................................................78
10.0 APPENDIXES........................................................................................................ 80
10.1 Appendix A: Survey Questionnaires and Responses...........................................................80
10.1.1 DTI-BITR’s completed NTFC Questionnaire.................................................................80
10.1.2 BOC PTFC’s completed NTFC Questionnaire...............................................................86
10.1.3 Customs Questionnaire (4 Respondents) .................................................................101
10.1.4 Trade Regulatory Government Agencies ..................................................................108
10.1.5 Logistics Actors..........................................................................................................118
10.1.6 Trading Community...................................................................................................126
10.2 Appendix B: List of Respondents.......................................................................................146
10.2.1 National Trade Facilitation - List of Respondents......................................................146
10.2.2 Bureau of Customs - List of Respondents.................................................................146
10.2.3 TRGAs - List of Respondents .....................................................................................146
10.2.4 Logistics Industry - List of Respondents....................................................................147
10.2.5 Trading Community - List of Respondents................................................................148
10.3 Appendix C: DTI-BITR’s Letter Response to the Survey.....................................................149
10.4 Appendix D: Consultative Session CMO and Photos.........................................................150</p
Asia-Pacific Quarterly Economic Update. May 2024
Get PDFHighlights
- After several quarters of contraction, export rebound propelled GDP growth in Q1/2024 in some major
Asia-Pacific countries. Nevertheless, such a revival is far from being broad-based.
- Despite steady employment conditions, sluggish increases in wages and renewed food price rises are
keeping peoples’ purchasing power weak.
- Special topic: Older women disproportionally take up unpaid work, thus hampering their formal job
opportunities. Better access to pensions, healthcare and social protection benefits by older women,
along with more disaggregated data, are needed to empower women
Targeting transformative disaster risk resilience in South-East Asia : Asia– Pacific Disaster Report 2024 for ESCAP Subregions
No full textThe “Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2024” highlights the growing severity of climate-related disasters in South-East Asia, driven by climate change and impacting millions of lives, economies, and ecosystems. Over the past five decades, the region has endured over 435,000 fatalities, $235 billion in damages, and affected millions of lives. Climate hazards such as droughts, floods, heatwaves, and surface winds are emerging and intensifying. Areas like the Mekong River Basin consistently emerge as hotspot for intensifying multi-hazard across all climate scenarios. Biodiversity, including critical mangrove ecosystems, faces increasing pressure, further jeopardizing regional resilience. Despite progress in sustainable development, the region struggles with regressing performance on climate-focused SDG 13. Addressing these challenges necessitates transformative adaptation strategies, integrating risk-informed investments, technology-driven innovations, and robust policy reforms. It also emphasizes the need for enhanced climate adaptation strategies, disaster risk reduction, and early warning systems (EWS) to protect vulnerable communities. Through transformative adaptation, including investments in resilient infrastructure, technology-driven EWS, and cross-border cooperation, the report calls for regional collaboration to improve disaster preparedness, support sustainable development, and mitigate economic impacts.</p
Fostering structural transformation in Nepal
Get PDFSustained and high economic growth has eluded Nepal. While the economy has undergone structural transformation in the last three decades the growth-enhancing effect of this structural change has had limited impacts contributing to a per-capita value added growth of 2% in the last two decades. More it is primarily the static reallocation of labor that has contributed to the value-added growth, with dynamic reallocation, where sectors receiving labor surplus experience productivity growth is in fact slightly negative for Nepal in the period, implying that, in aggregate, the sectors drawing in labor experienced negative productivity growth. Proximate causes of this includes Nepal’s premature de-industrialization which is occurring at a much lower level of income and its manufacturing shares in value added and employment have been much lower compared to the average country. The booming services sector has not generated enough decent jobs to absorb an expanding labor force. This has led to massive temporary work-related outmigration. Obstacles range from infrastructure gaps, inadequate electricity supply and realible transportation services, uncertainty surrounding reform agenda and policy implementation; labor market issues (weak industrial relations and labor market distortions caused by large outbound labor migration); lack of enabling business environment marked by cumbersome procedures associated with opening and closing businesses and paying taxes, limited access to finance, and low availability of business support services. To alleviate these constraints, a compreshensive reform agenda is proposed, which among others includes review the existing Industrial Policy to improve its design and implementation, and ensure alignment with the changing context.</p
E-commerce and India’s retail and manufacturing sectors – some lessons for ensuring sustainable development
Get PDFThe sudden surge in the e-commerce sector has sparked concerns in several economies in the world, particularly in India. The country’s traders’ associations have complained that the online retail sector (dominated by e-commerce majors) has been growing at the expense of the offline retail sector, primarily the MSMEs. In this context, this study marks one of the initial endeavours to analytically evaluate the impact of the thriving online retail industry on India’s organised manufacturing and retail segments. The results indicate that, while online retailing has assumed a significant role in positively impacting the sales of the overall retail and manufacturing sector of the country (on average) during the period 1989-2020, the same effect has not been observed for its MSMEs. The impact on MSMEs has been positive, though not significant – indicating the untapped potential of the MSME sector to take advantage of the growing online commerce. Similar results hold for the retail sector and retail MSMEs when it comes to the impact on their international trade participation due to the growing online retail sector. Finally, the study also underscores the importance of “digitalisation” as a prerequisite for accessing the e-commerce channel, aligning with the societal and environmental objectives outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Consequently, the findings advocate setting up a comprehensive e-commerce regulatory framework in India to ensure sustained and inclusive growth for both the e-commerce and MSME sectors.</p
User’s Guidebook - Risk & Resilience Portal and Decision Support System
No full textUnited Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are collaboratively implementing a two-year Joint SDG fund project, "Strengthening National and Subnational Capacity for Sustainable Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Maldives." This program aims to anchor Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) at the heart of national and subnational development planning to ensure better achievement of SDGs and Agenda 2030 in the Maldives.
To ensure sustainability, an essential aspect of this project is enhancing the local capacities to continue a data-driven DRR approach moving forward. To achieve that, ESCAP has developed a set of manuals. This manual provides a step-by-step guideline for exploring and navigating the decision support system of ESCAP's Risk and Resilience Portal for Maldives. The manual also guides the users on how to use the Portal for country-specific development decisions considering climate change and its relative impacts on different sectors. This manual can be used by policymakers, development planners, administrative decision-makers across the government and non-government sectors, and any individuals in need of assistance to make risk-informed decisions.
އ.ދ.ގެ އިކޮނޮމިކް އެންޑް ސޯޝަލް ކޮމިޝަން ފޯ އޭޝިއާ އެންޑް ދަ ޕެސިފިކް (ESCAP) އާއި އ.ދ.ގެ ތަރައްޤީއާ ބެހޭ ޖަމިއްޔާ (ESCAP) ގުޅިގެން އަންނަނީ ދެ އަހަރު ދުވަހުގެ Joint SDG Fund ޕްރޮޖެކްޓެއް ކަމަށްވާ "ސްޓްރެންތެނިންގ ނޭޝަނަލް އެންޑް ސަބްނޭޝަނަލް ކެޕޭސިޓީ ފޯ ސަސްޓެއިނަބަލް ޑިޒާސްޓާ ރިސްކް ރިޑަކްޝަން، ކްލައިމެޓް ޗޭންޖް އެޑަޕްޓޭޝަން އެންޑް މިޓިގޭޝަން އިން މޯލްޑިވްސް" ހިންގަމުންނެވެ. މި ޕްރޮޖެކްޓްގެ މަޤްޞަދަކީ ރާއްޖޭގައި ދެމެހެއްޓެނިވި ތަރައްޤީގެ ލަނޑުދަނޑިތަކާއި (SDG) އެޖެންޑާ 2030 މިހާރަށްވުރެ ރަނގަޅަށް ޙާޞިލުކުރުމަށްޓަކައި ޤައުމީ އަދި އެތެރޭގެ ސަރަހައްދީ ތަރައްޤީގެ ޕްލޭނިންގގެ މައިގަނޑު މައިދާނުގައި ކާރިސީ ހިރާސް ކުޑަކުރުން (Disaster Risk Reduction) އާއި މޫސުމީ ބަދަލުތަކުގެ ނޭދެވޭ އަސަރުން އަރާގަތުން (Climate Change Adaptation) ހިމެނުމެވެ.
ދެމެހެއްޓެނިވި ގޮތެއްގައި ކުރިއަށް ދިއުމަށްޓަކައި، މި މަޝްރޫޢުގެ އެންމެ މުހިންމު އެއް ކަމަކީ، ޑޭޓާ އަށް ބަރޯސާވާ ޑީ.އާރު.އާރުގެ ކަންތައް ކުރިއަށް ގެންދިއުމަށްޓަކައި ލޯކަލް ޤާބިލިއްޔަތުކަން އިތުރުކުރުމެވެ. އެކަން ހާސިލް ކުރުމަށް ESCAP އިން ވަނީ މެނުއަލްތަކެއް އެކުލަވާލައިފަ އެވެ. މި "ޔޫޒަރސް ގައިޑްބުކް އޮން ރިސްކް އެންޑް ރެޒިލިއަންސް ޕޯޓަލް އެންޑް ޑިސިޝަން ސަޕޯޓް ސިސްޓަމް" އަކީ ESCAPގެ ރިސްކް އެންޑް ރެޒިލިއަންސް ޕޯޓަލް ފޮރ މޯލްޑިވްސްގެ ޑިސިޝަން ސަޕޯޓް ސިސްޓަމް އެކްސްޕްލޯކޮށް ނެވިގޭޓް ކުރުމަށް ތައްޔާރުކުރެވިފައިވާ ތަފްސީލީ ގައިޑްލައިންއެކެވެ. މޫސުމަށް އަންނަ ބަދަލުތަކާއި އެކަމުގެ ސަބަބުން އެކި ދާއިރާތަކަށް ކުރާ ނޭދެވޭ އަސަރުތަކާ މެދު ވިސްނާ ގައުމުތަކަށް ހާއްސަ ތަރައްޤޯގެ ނިންމުންތަކަށް މި ޕޯޓަލް ބޭނުންކުރާނެ ގޮތުގެ އިރުޝާދު ވެސް މި މެނުއަލްގައި ވަނީ ދީފަ އެވެ. މި މެނުއަލް ބޭނުން ކުރެވޭނީ ސިޔާސަތުތައް ކަނޑައަޅާ ފަރާތްތަކަށާއި، ތަރައްގީގެ ޕްލޭނަރުންނާއި، ސަރުކާރާއި އަމިއްލަ ދާއިރާތަކުގެ އިދާރީ ނިންމުންތައް ނިންމާ ފަރާތްތަކަށާއި، ހިރާސް އަންގައިދޭ ނިންމުންތައް ނިންމުމުގައި އެހީތެރިކަން ބޭނުންވާ ކޮންމެ ފަރާތްތަކަށެވެ.
The English version of this manual is available using the following link:
https://www.unescap.org/kp/2024/user-guidebook-risk-resilience-portal-and-decision-support-system</p
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific’s Subregional Office for East and North-East Asia
No full textThis is a flyer for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) East and North-East Asia (ENEA) Office in English. The Office was inaugurated on 17 May, 2010 in Incheon, Republic of Korea. Since its establishment, the Office has been working closely with six member States - China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Japan, Mongolia, Republic of Korea, and the Russian Federation - and two associate members - Hong Kong, China and Macau, China - to build and strengthen partnerships and cooperation for inclusive and sustainable development in the subregion. It also serves as the Secretariat of the North-East Asian Subregional Programme for Environmental Cooperation (NEASPEC) to promote environmental cooperation in the subregion</p
