Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero will lead a two-day dialogue among Southeast Asian nations to discuss various international customs issues.
Guerrero will co-chair the 29th Virtual ASEAN Meeting of Directors-General (DG) of Customs on August 18 to 19. The commissioner will co-chair the talks with Kyaw Htin, director-general of Myanmar Customs Department.
Various delegates and representatives of ASEAN Member States (AMS) will attend the meeting which will highlight the transfer of the chairmanship of ASEAN Director-General of Customs from LAO PDR to Myanmar, the Bureau of Customs said.
The virtual meeting, which will be held via video conference, aims to “accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavors in the spirit of equality and partnership.”
Reports by the committees and consultations with ASEAN dialogue partners such as China, Japan, Australia, Korea, and the World Customs Organization (WCO) will be discussed.
Developments in ASEAN and Japan on Trade and Customs-related matters including international customs issues will also be tackled along with the review on the progress in ASEAN-Japan Customs Cooperation.
The consultations will include the ASEAN private sectors such as the European-ASEAN Business Council, United States-ASEAN Business Council, and a consultation on the proposed ASEAN Low Value Shipment Programme.
The ASEAN Meeting of Directors-General is held annually to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian nations through information sharing and coordination among member nations.
“The Bureau of Customs, in cooperation with the ASEAN member nations, will continue to gear up towards achieving a customs administration that is at par with global standards,” Guerrero said.