Boosting ASEAN's Economic Integration: Cambodia hosts the 25th ASEAN Customs Meeting and its first consultation with the EU-ASEAN Business Council

01 June, 2016

Bringing together Heads of Customs from all 10 member states, Cambodia hosted the 25th Meeting of the ASEAN Directors General of Customs in Phnom Penh from May 25th to May 27th where leaders advanced customs integration and harmonisation of the ASEAN member states—a key component in establishing the ASEAN Economic Community. ASEAN member states have previously agreed to the elimination of tariffs, non-tariff barriers, responsive rules of origin, trade facilitation, customs integration and the ASEAN Single Window.

The second day of the summit was dedicated to bilateral meetings between the Cambodian General Department of Customs and Excise and their partners of dialogue, including the European-Union-ASEAN Business Council whose delegation was accompanied by representatives of EuroCham Cambodia.

During this first consultation meeting with EU-ABC and EuroCham Cambodia, H.E Dr. Kun Nhem, Director General of the Cambodian General Department of Customs and Excise, allowed EuroCham representatives to present recommendations included in their 2016 White Book and informed that the General Department of Customs and Excise had been encouraged by the Ministry of Economy and Finance to study the White Book contents and prepare appropriate responses. The General Director the Cambodian Customs also gave his principle agreement to join a EuroCham luncheon with the private sector.