The Bureau of Customs (BOC) reaffirmed its dedication to reform and modernization during a high-level courtesy meeting with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on October 20, 2025.
BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno hosted JICA Customs Expert Mr. Shigeaki Katsu to review the progress of current technical cooperation projects and explore new strategic areas for collaboration aimed at enhancing the Bureau’s operational framework.
Commissioner Nepomuceno emphasized the vital importance of the ongoing partnership. “JICA is an essential partner in our journey toward a modern and trusted customs administration. This meeting allowed us to evaluate our advancements in automation and capacity-building and to plan a clear course for future initiatives that will strengthen our role as a key contributor to national economic stability and trade facilitation.”
The main focus of the discussion was on strengthening key operational areas, including:
Risk Management: Enhancing technical cooperation to develop and implement advanced risk management systems.
Customs Automation: Accelerating the adoption of automation tools to improve transactional efficiency and transparency.
Border Efficiency: Streamlining customs procedures to facilitate faster trade flows and reduce regulatory friction.
Both sides discussed new opportunities for technical assistance to further align the Bureau’s processes with international customs standards. The productive dialogue reaffirmed the shared commitment of the BOC and JICA to promote innovation and institutional excellence.
With JICA’s ongoing support, the BOC gains valuable technical expertise and international best practices that are vital to its modernization efforts. This meeting highlights the BOC’s strong commitment to building a leading, efficient, and modern customs administration that is essential for the country’s economic growth.
