InSYNC

	Enhancing cooperation with New Zealand Customs Service
	Towards a speedy trade recovery
	Maintaining a pro-business mindset
	Partnership in global security
	World No Tobacco Day 2008
	Travellers happy with Customs services at checkpoints

Enhancing cooperation with
New Zealand Customs Service

In support of global supply chain security, Singapore Customs and the New Zealand Customs Service signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) on 22 July 2008 to work towards mutual recognition of each other’s supply chain security programmes.

Clockwise from front row left: Mr Fong Yong Kian, Director-General of Singapore Customs; Mr Lim Boon Wee, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Transport; BG (NS) Choi Shing Kwok, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport; and Mr Martyn Dunne, Comptroller and Chief Executive of the New Zealand Customs Service.

The SOI was signed by Mr Fong Yong Kian, Director-General of Singapore Customs, and Mr Martyn Dunne, Comptroller and Chief Executive of the New Zealand Customs Service.

The SOI demonstrates the commitment of Singapore and New Zealand to pursue mutual recognition of their respective Secure Trade Partnership (STP) scheme and Secure Exports Scheme (SES). Both are “Authorised Economic Operator” schemes set up under the auspices of the World Customs Organization Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (WCO SAFE Framework).

Said Mr Fong, “Closer cooperation and mutual recognition on supply chain security matters and programmes would help to secure and further facilitate trade flows between Singapore and New Zealand. I hope that the signing of the Statement of Intent will encourage more businesses to secure their supply chain and seek
STP status.”

Working closely with APEC
In another move to strengthen supply chain security, Singapore Customs co-organised a Capacity Building Workshop under the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s (APEC) Trade Recovery Programme on 23 and 24 July, just a day after the SOI was signed. Read about it in this story.

Under this mutual recognition arrangement, certified STP and SES traders from Singapore and New Zealand will enjoy many benefits. They will be recognised by both customs administrations without having to repeat the validation process. They can look forward to reduced inspection or expedited clearance for the movement of their goods between the two countries.

Said Mr Dunne, “Mutual recognition arrangements have a vital role to play in securing international trade and avoiding unnecessary duplication of compliance processes. It is through enhanced cooperation between customs authorities that these benefits can be achieved.”

Besides New Zealand, Singapore Customs is also currently engaged in mutual recognition discussions with countries such as Australia and the USA.

Secure Trade Partnership
Launched on 25 May 2007, the Secure Trade Partnership (STP) is a voluntary certification programme administered by Singapore Customs that encourages companies to adopt robust security measures in their trading operations, thereby enhancing the security of the global supply chain.

The STP provides companies with a framework to guide the development, implementation, monitoring and review of their supply chain security measures and practices.

By participating in the STP, companies demonstrate their commitment to adopt and implement appropriate security measures and a willingness to assume responsibility for keeping their supply chains secure.

The STP is open to all supply chain stakeholders, including importers, exporters, warehouse operators, transporters, and terminal operators, etc. It is consistent with the WCO SAFE Framework.

As of July 2008, 22 companies are certified under the STP. For more information, click here.

Secure Exports Scheme
The Secure Exports Scheme (SES) is a voluntary arrangement between exporters and the New Zealand Customs Service, designed to protect international trade.

The scheme’s partner exporters make a firm commitment to have measures in place to protect their goods against tampering, sabotage or smuggling, from the point of packing to delivery at the site for export loading.

The SES is open to all exporters exporting by all modes of transport to all destinations. It is consistent with the WCO SAFE Framework. As of May 2008, there are 106 SES partner exporters.