THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) said that Filipino products boast world-class quality but still struggle to break into foreign markets.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the BOC is stepping up efforts to help Filipino businesses penetrate international markets by bringing exporters face-to-face with government agencies at its first-ever Export Summit over the week to address trade barriers and simplify export procedures.
Nepomuceno said the BOC wants to make exporting easier and more predictable so Filipino entrepreneurs can concentrate on growing their businesses and reaching more customers abroad.
“The quality of Filipino products is already there. What we need are more opportunities for them to reach more markets,” he said.
“Our job at the Bureau of Customs is to make the process simpler and more efficient so our exporters can focus on growing their businesses,” he added.
Organized under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner Agaton Teodoro Uvero of the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), the summit focused on customs procedures, free trade agreements, regulatory requirements and government support programs.
The initiative comes as the government seeks to expand the country’s export footprint, with many Filipino businesses still struggling to navigate complex customs rules, comply with changing regulations, and maximize opportunities under existing trade agreements.
Port Operations Service Director Melon Carlo Santiago said government agencies must remain responsive to exporters’ concerns and ensure policies and services keep pace with industry demands.
Participants received updates on customs processes, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), export assistance programs, and developments involving the Asean Single Window. They also had the opportunity to raise operational concerns directly with government representatives.
For Kayrel P. Buenafe, chief of the BOC Export Coordination Division, the summit was an opportunity to strengthen trust between government and the private sector.
“Every shipment leaving our ports carries more than goods. It carries the hard work of our producers, the aspirations of our workers, and the promise of a stronger Philippine economy,” Buenafe said.
Beyond facilitating shipments, the BOC also helps local producers compete internationally, opening opportunities for business expansion, increased export earnings, and wider access to foreign markets.
The export summit is part of BOC’s trade facilitation reforms aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.‘s directive to improve the country’s competitiveness and expand opportunities for Philippine-made products in the global marketplace.
