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2009/SOM1/SCCP/001a

Agenda Item: 1

Chair’s Opening Remarks

Purpose: Information

Submitted by: SCCP Chair

/ First Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures Meeting
Singapore
24-26 February 2009

OPENING REMARKS BY Mr Loh Fook Meng, 2009 SCCP CHAIRPERSON, AT THE FIRST SCCP Meeting, 24 FEBRARY 2009

Distinguished Delegates

Representatives of the APEC Secretariat

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning.Thank you for coming tothe first SCCP Meeting of 2009. On behalf of the host economy, Singapore, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all ofyou. I hope you have all rested well and that we can look forward to having a fruitful and rewarding Meeting.

2Before I begin, I would first like to thank Peru for their outstanding leadership in 2008. Under Peru’s chairmanship, the SCCP endorsed the Single Window Working Group’s (SWWG) phase 2 terms of reference and work plan. The SCCP also identified 6 key KPIs for the Trade Facilitation Action Plan II (TFAP II). These are but 2 of the many achievements of the SCCP in 2008. By taking over the SCCP Chairmanship from Peru, Singaporecertainly has a pair of big shoes to fill.

3I would also like to thank the Friends of the Chair for their strong support and advice, and all the working group members who have participated and contributed actively during the sessions held yesterday. I look forward to hearing their reports and updates at the plenary later.

4Traders place a lot of importance on the ease, speed and predictability for the clearance of their goods. Customs play a key role in trade facilitation by ensuring that customs procedures are simple and transparent. During difficult times, such as the one that we are experiencing right now, it is even more imperative for Customs to help reduce business costs by being as facilitative as possible without compromising trade security.

5We have come a long way since the SCCP was first established in 1994. Our achievements include contributing to a 5% reduction in trade transaction costs via Trade Facilitation Action Plan I (TFAP I). Now, we are working towards TFAP II to contribute to an additional 5% reduction in trade transaction costs by focusing on 6 areas, (i) Time Release Survey, (ii) APEC Framework based on the WCO Framework of Standards, (iii) Simplification and Harmonization on the Basis of the Kyoto Convention, (iv) Paperless and/or Automation of Trade-related Procedures, (v) Harmonization of Tariff Structure with the HS Convention, and (vi) Appropriate, Transparent and Predictable Trade-related Procedures.

6There is a lot of work to be done. We will be discussing,over the next 2 days, key issues likethe APEC Ministers’ mandate for SCCP to work with the Market Access Group (MAG) to address business difficulties relating to rules of origin. The Meeting will also be discussing on the funding and maintenance of the APEC Tariff Database, which according to feedback from the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), is a very useful tool to businesses.

7In addition, SCCP works closely with other sub-committees and Experts’ Groups through cross-foracollaboration to help APEC meet the Bogor Goals of free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific. For this Meeting, you may wish to note that we have invited representatives from the Intellectual Property Rights Experts' Group (IPEG) to brief SCCP on opportunities for joint initiatives and collaboration.

8As a Chinese saying goes, “a happy ending must usually go through many trials and tribulations. In this regard, we can expect many challenges in our journey towardstheBogor Goals.However, with all 21 economies working closely together to shareideas,experiences and expertise, I am sure we can achieve positive and concrete outcomes.

9I look forward to your active contribution and participation and I am confident that this Meeting will be an eventful one. I am also very sure that the friendships forged or renewed during these three days will prove immensely invaluable.

10Thank you.