THE Philippines and Iran have agreed to cooperate in extending mutual administrative assistance on customs issues involving the two countries.
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and a representative of the Islamic Republic recently held bilateral talks at the Manila Hotel during which they signed an agreement to adopt the World Customs Organization (WCO) 2004 model bilateral agreement on mutual administrative assistance in Customs Matters.
Iran, represented by Dr. Ahad Paraham, deputy director-general for international cooperation, and the BOC team led by director Simplicio N. Domingo II, collector John M. Simon, Atty. Noemi B. Alcala, and Atty. Tomas D. Tagra, agreed to adopt the WCO document as the working draft in negotiations.
The document will then be reviewed and elevated to the Iran and Philippine Customs officials and other relevant government officials for evaluation and consideration.
Both parties also agreed to continue negotiations on the contents of the accord until both sides have agreed that the same could already be forwarded for the approval of their respective governments.
The BOC said the talks kindled hopes for close trade facilitation and kinship between the two nations.
Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon said he believes talks with different countries similar to those with Iran will help make the BOC competitive in the global market, and “will fuel the drive to reform the customs service in the country, giving rise to an efficient, modern and reliable agency.”
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