Japan aims to broaden exports of its customs management system to Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines, helping Southeast Asia build a regional customs network while easing Japanese businesses’ expansion into the region.
The Nippon Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System electronically manages customs procedures and centralizes interactions with relevant government bodies. It can also handle processes like quarantine inspections for importing and exporting food products.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations members Vietnam and Myanmar have already adopted Japan’s system, reportedly slashing to about half a day from five days the time it takes Vietnam to process customs declarations.
Japan’s Finance Ministry received Cambodia’s request for the customs system during Prime Minister Hun Sen’s visit last month. The details have yet to be discussed, but Japan intends to provide the system free of charge. Tokyo will also approach the Philippines and Laos as they make progress on customs legislation and other fronts.
Cambodia and other nations currently use a basic customs management system provided for free by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. That system’s connectivity and information sharing functions are not up to the level of Japan’s, and it also takes longer owing to certain documentation requirements.
Japan’s support for modernizing customs management in ASEAN nations is part of a strategy it adopted in 2013 of exporting infrastructure systems.
Source: Nikkei Image: Bank Image
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