The Philippines has once again affirmed its leadership in trade modernization within Southeast Asia, securing its position as the second-highest ranked country in the region in the 2025 United Nations Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation. This significant achievement underscores the unwavering commitment of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to drive digital transformation and foster inclusive economic growth through streamlined trade processes.
The latest UN report, launched in July 2025, highlights the Philippines’ impressive overall trade facilitation score of 91.40%, a notable improvement from 86.02% in 2023. This remarkable progress is a testament to the administration’s dedicated efforts in modernizing public services, promoting innovation, and enhancing the nation’s competitiveness in the global market.
During the virtual launch of the report, Director Rupa Chanda of the Trade, Investment and Innovation Division at UN ESCAP lauded the Philippines, alongside Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, and Malaysia, for surpassing the 90% implementation threshold for the first time since the survey’s inception in 2015. This milestone reflects the country’s accelerating momentum in adopting efficient and sustainable trade facilitation practices.
Now in its sixth edition, the 2025 UN Global Survey offers a comprehensive global assessment of trade facilitation efforts across five regions. It identifies global and regional trends and acknowledges countries making substantial strides toward efficient, inclusive, and sustainable trade practices.
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has been instrumental in the Philippines’ outstanding performance, with its ongoing reforms and modernization initiatives directly supporting the Marcos administration’s goals. Key initiatives include active participation in the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (CPTA), the ASEAN Single Window, and the electronic exchange of Phytosanitary Certificates (e-Phyto). The report also commended the country’s sustained efforts in implementing the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA), spearheaded by the Philippine Trade Facilitation Committee (PTFC), which ensures coordinated, inclusive, and stakeholder-driven trade facilitation policies.
Among its flagship programs, the BOC’s Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) initiative stands out. This program incentivizes compliance and enhances supply chain security through simplified customs procedures, aligning with the government’s broader vision for a rules-based, transparent, and business-friendly trade environment.
Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno reaffirmed the BOC’s dedication to further advancing the country’s trade facilitation efforts beyond the requirements of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. He emphasized the BOC’s focus on areas aligned with the President’s development agenda, such as e-commerce digitalization, gender empowerment in trade, and green customs practices.
This international recognition not only validates the effectiveness of the Marcos administration’s reforms but also reinforces the Philippines’ steadfast trajectory toward sustainable development and inclusive economic progress. As the government continues to advance its digitalization and trade facilitation roadmap, Filipinos can anticipate more efficient services, boosted investor confidence, and expanded economic opportunities.
