THE Department of Finance (DOF) together with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will work closely with the Department of Agriculture (DA) on the full rollout of TradeNet.
The DOF explained that TradeNet is a platform that seeks to modernize and make the processing of import and export permits faster by allowing traders to apply for accreditation and permit online.
According to Finance Undersecretary Gil S. Beltran, the DA has issued a memorandum order instructing its personnel to coordinate with the DOF and DICT on integrating the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) certificates in TradeNet.
The DA is a key component of TradeNet as it is among regulatory bodies that process permits for imports and exports, particularly of agricultural products, such as rice, which is now freely imported under the rice tariffication law subject to the compliance by traders of SPS requirements.
According to Beltran, the DA has created project teams for integrating SPS in TradeNet and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Single Window, or ASW. He added these teams will work with the DOF and DICT in developing TradeNet modules for the ASW exchange.
The ASW is a regional initiative that aims to speed up cargo clearances and promote economic integration by enabling the electronic exchange of border documents among the 10 Asean member-states.
The online portal will also stream the application for the electronic Certificates of Origin from members of the Asean after the Bureau of Customs released a MO that provides the guidelines for the submission and processing of all e-Cos through TradeNet.gov.ph.