Philippine Participation and Benefits
- Developing countries like the Philippines benefit from increased market access under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP).
- Participation aims to boost Philippine exports through reduced trade restrictions.
Need for a National Certifying Authority
- UNCTAD’s implementation rules require each participating country to designate a national certifying agency.
- The agency is authorized to issue certificates of origin for exports eligible under the GSP.
Designation of the Bureau of Customs
- The President of the Philippines designates the Bureau of Customs as the sole certifying authority.
- The Bureau of Customs will issue certificates of origin for Philippine exports under the GSP.
Legal Authority and Effectivity
- The designation is made under the President’s constitutional and legal powers.
- The Executive Order formalizes the Bureau’s role to facilitate Philippine export compliance with GSP requirements.
Overall Impact
- This institutional arrangement facilitates Philippine exporters’ ability to benefit from tariff preferences.
- It enhances the government’s administrative efficiency in certifying exports under international trade agreements.