Phl, Russia sign Customs mutual assistance agreement

The Philippines and Russia signed yesterday the Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement that would help boost the efforts of both countries against transnational crimes and smuggling.

BOC Commissioner Rufino Biazon said he considered the signing of a CMAA with Russia a historic event because this would establish the connectivity between the two customs administrations in strengthening cooperation to fight transnational crimes, commercial fraud and the prevention of customs offences.

“Following the theme in World Customs Organization, which says ‘Borders Divide, Customs Connect,’ this agreement enhances cooperation between Russian and Philippines Customs… With trade between the two countries starting to blossom, close linkage between our agencies become necessary,” Commissioner Biazon said.

The Customs Commissioner and Department of Foreign Affairs executive director for European Affairs Marichu Mauro represented the Philippines while the Russian government was represented by its Ambassador to the Philippines Nikolay Kudashev and Russian Embassy Federal Customs Service deputy head Vladimir Malinin.

Through this cooperation, the Philippines would be able to prevent breaches of Customs laws and shall protect the economic, fiscal, social and commercial interests of their respective countries including the assurance for appropriate and efficient customs duty collection.

This arrangement shall promote a security-conscious customs administration that would eventually pave the way towards a business environment that is healthy dynamic, fair and safe.

This Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement is based on a sound and binding legal basis in order to ensure that the data, documents and other information that would be used in the exchange of information and for combating customs offenses.