ECCP asks BOC to clarify policy

The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) urged the Bureau of Customs (BOC) yesterday to clarify its policy on the non-issuance of licenses this year to companies with foreign equity involved in the customs brokerage business.

Henry Schumacher, ECCP executive vice president, said the change of policy is "ratting" some of their long-term investor-members offering Integrated transport services. "These companies have foreign shareholding and, of course, have the actual service of customs brokerage performed by licensed Filipino customs brokers," he stressed.

Schumacher was reacting to BOC's plans to disallow companies partly owned by foreigners from participating in the customs brokerage industry allegedly based on Executive Order 11 which approves the Third Regular Foreign Investments Negative List.

"It (policy change) affects existing and potential Investors who get very nervous when rules and regulations are changed mid-stream. It is a totally anachronistic move at a time when everybody is expecting "integrated services," global logistics,' and open economies," pointed out Schumacher saying that this move runs counter to the Philippine policy of opening the country to further Investments.

Meanwhile, the Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce vowed to look deeper into the matter as it expressed support for the renewal of customs brokerage licenses of foreign equity companies.

"This matter has such a broad implication to members of all the foreign chambers," said ANZCC executive director Chris Ward.