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A Way Forward on Proof of Origin as Concrete Trade Facilitating Measure
Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum Side Event
There are different proofs of origin in the Asian region under the CPTPP, the ASEAN 1+ FTAs, the FTAs that some Asian countries have entered with EU and the US, the initiatives under APEC and most recently the ASEAN on electronic certificate of origin, and the RCEP. The drafting complexity of the RCEP’s Article 3.16 on proof of origin with different systems of proof of origin and timetables is revealing of the various schools of thought in this area. This APTFF side event highlights that progress on proof of origin is a concrete trade facilitating measure and will showcase ADB’s work in the area of market access and rules of origin, highlighting the need to identify convergence and best practices in order to undertake the necessary reforms towards a more trade facilitating rules of origin administration in Asia and the Pacific.
Register here.
Event details:
Date/Venue:
-
9:00 a.m. Thursday, 1 September 2022
Fairmont Hotel, Singapore
Downloads:
- Agenda (PDF)
Contacts:
- Kijin Kim
Senior Economist, Regional Cooperation and Integration Division, ERCD, Asian Development Bank
Email: kijinkim@adb.org - Pramila Crivelli
Economist, Regional Cooperation and Integration Division, ERCD, Asian Development Bank
Email: pcrivelli@adb.org - Paulo Rodelio Halili
Senior Economics Officer, Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department, Asian Development Bank
Email: phalili@adb.org - Pia Asuncion P. Tenchavez
Senior Operations Assistant, Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department, Asian Development Bank
Email: ptenchavez@adb.org - Angel Love A. Roque
Senior Operations Assistant, Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department, Asian Development Bank
Email: alroque@adb.org
- Kijin Kim
Agenda:

Session 1: Market access, rules of origin and utilization rates in Asia and the Pacific
- 08:50–09:00
- Registration
- 09:00–09:40
- A trade facilitating policy recommendation agenda for RCEP and FTAs in the Asian region: Convergence on rules of origin and operational certification proceduresPresenter:Pramila A. Crivelli Economist, Regional Cooperation and Integration Division, Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department, Asian Development BankBio Presentation
Pramila A. Crivelli is an economist at the Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Her main fields of specializations are applied econometrics, international trade policy, regional trade agreements, trade negotiations, rules or origin, and nontariff measures, and geographical indications. At ADB, her current work focuses on trade agreements, aid for trade, the digital economy, and on supporting the APEC regional forum.
Prior to joining ADB in November 2020, she was an assistant professor at the Goethe University Frankfurt leading the Chair of International Trade. Pramila’s work has been published in academic peer reviewed journals including the Journal of International Economics and The World Economy. With a strong expertise in applied economic policy and technical cooperation, she served as an economic affairs officer at United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, researcher at the European University Institute, and the World Trade Organization. Widely experience in delivering capacity building and advisory services to governments, public and private institutions, and trade negotiators in multilateral and regional fora, she carried out consultancies for various clients in Asia and Africa. She received her PhD in economics from the University of Geneva.Lessons learned from utilization ratesPresenter:Stefano Inama Chief of Technical Assistance and Enhanced Integrated Framework, UNCTADBio PresentationStefano Inama is a Chief, Technical Assistance, Trade and Customs in the Division on African and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), UNCTAD Geneva, Switzerland.
Mr. Inama possess over 30 years of experience on trade and customs issues matured advising Governments and private sector. He has designed and managed research and traderelated capacity building programs in Asia, Africa and Latin America, with a focus on trade laws and policy, regulatory and institutional trade issues with a specialization on rules of origin and market access. He has written extensively on these subjects as well as on related industrial policy questions.
He is the author of one of the most comprehensive analytical books on rules of origin (Rules of origin in International Trade, Cambridge University Press, 2009,forthcoming edition 2022) and has co-authored ASEAN rules of origin :a way forward and The foundations of the ASEAN Economic Community, Cambridge University Press 2015.
Mr. Inama has been representing UNCTAD during the negotiations in the Technical Committee on Rules of Origin (TCRO) established at the World Customs Organizations and most recently at the Working group on the revision of annex K of the Kyoto convention.
Mr Inama holds Masters and LLM degrees from the University of Bologna and College of Europe, Bruges, Belgium. He is member of the faculty of the ASEAN integration through at Center of International Law of Singapore and has been Visiting Lecturer at the Columbia University, the World Trade Institute, Master in International Law and Economics, M.I.L.E. and at IELPO International Economic law and Policy.Q&A
Session 2: The quandary of proof of origin – Overview and implementation challenges
- 09:40–10:20
- The quandary of proof of origin - An overviewPresenter:Stefano Inama Chief of Technical Assistance and Enhanced Integrated Framework, UNCTADBio Presentation
Stefano Inama is a Chief, Technical Assistance, Trade and Customs in the Division on African and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), UNCTAD Geneva, Switzerland.
Mr. Inama possess over 30 years of experience on trade and customs issues matured advising Governments and private sector. He has designed and managed research and traderelated capacity building programs in Asia, Africa and Latin America, with a focus on trade laws and policy, regulatory and institutional trade issues with a specialization on rules of origin and market access. He has written extensively on these subjects as well as on related industrial policy questions.
He is the author of one of the most comprehensive analytical books on rules of origin (Rules of origin in International Trade, Cambridge University Press, 2009,forthcoming edition 2022) and has co-authored ASEAN rules of origin :a way forward and The foundations of the ASEAN Economic Community, Cambridge University Press 2015.
Mr. Inama has been representing UNCTAD during the negotiations in the Technical Committee on Rules of Origin (TCRO) established at the World Customs Organizations and most recently at the Working group on the revision of annex K of the Kyoto convention.
Mr Inama holds Masters and LLM degrees from the University of Bologna and College of Europe, Bruges, Belgium. He is member of the faculty of the ASEAN integration through at Center of International Law of Singapore and has been Visiting Lecturer at the Columbia University, the World Trade Institute, Master in International Law and Economics, M.I.L.E. and at IELPO International Economic law and Policy.E-Certificates of Origin – New developmentsPresenter:Armen Manukyan Project and Business Process Re-engineering Specialist, UNESCAPBio PresentationArmen is UN ESCAP PM CBTD Project and Business Process Re-engineering Specialist in Avenue Consulting Group LLC for the NSW (National Single Window). Experience includes Technical Attaché in World Customs Organization for last seven years up to April 2021. He took on the role of Customs Attaché for Armenian State Revenue Committee for the cooperation with EU DGTAXUD. Lead several WCO programmes in the area of implementation/enhancement of Single Window environments in the Member States, enhancement for national Coordinated Border Management projects, Globally Networked Customs development of Utility Blocks, BPA/BPR trainings, development of standards, guidelines and tools, coordination in the relevant areas with other international stakeholders such as UN CEFACT, ESCAP, COMESA, UNCTAD, ECOWAS, IDB, and USAID. He contributed to the development of UN CEFACT standards and recommendations for trade facilitation focusing on SW and overall digitalization of public services. Armen was also a UN ESCAP Lead for WCO-ESCAP Joint Task Force. He delivered several regional projects, national capacity building projects, contributed to more than twenty five projects and events organized by other international stakeholders, delivered SW feasibility study missions. From 2008 to 2014, Armen covered various positions in Armenian State Revenue Committee, from customs officer to top management positions such as Head of International Relations Department and Executive Assistant to Chairman of SRC.
Proof of origin implementation challenges – Experiences from ASEAN and Viet NamPresenter:Manh Ha Phan International Consultant on ASEAN+1 FTAs and RCEP’s tariff and rules of originBio PresentationPhan Manh Ha is an experienced international consultant on trade and economic relations of the ASEAN-Dialogue Partners, and rules of origin customs and trade facilitation policies under ASEAN Plus 1 Free Trade Agreements (ASEAN+1 FTAs) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). He has delivered many consultancy services to UNCTAD and the ASEAN Secretariat on RCEP and ASEAN+1 Rules of Origin (ROO).
Ha was the Senior Officer of the ASEAN from 2012 to 2021. During this time, he managed and coordinated ASEAN’s external economic relations, including consultations with ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners at the level of Senior Economic Officials (SEOM) and the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) and relations with international economic organizations. He participated the RCEP negotiations since the starting date in 2013 until the end of the negotiations. Under the RCEP negotiations, he provided technical advice as well as consultancy on the tariff elimination, ROO, CPTF and transparency enhancement on trade-related regulations between the participating countries to facilitate their engagement in global and regional supply chains.
Before that, Ha was the external trade specialist of the Ministry of Industry of Trade of Viet Nam. He was in charge of Viet Nam’s trade relation with the Asia-Pacific countries, in particular with Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.Q&A- 10:20–10:30
Coffee break
Session 3: Evidence from private sector
- 10:30–11:30
- Challenges in complying with rules of origin and administrative requirementsPresenter:Felicia Gan Senior Manager – Global Trade Advisory, Deloitte SingaporeBio Presentation
Felicia Gan is a Senior Manager in the SEA Global Trade Advisory practice based in Singapore. With more than 11 years of experience, Felicia has worked with various companies on a variety of trade and customs matters in supply chain, counselling companies on HS classification, valuation, trade facilitation schemes, import/export controls, FTAs, and development of internal compliance programmes for efficient management of trade operations.
In her capacity as a Senior Manager in the Asia Pacific team, Felicia has extensive experience in managing regional projects and working with cross-border teams to support multinational companies in projects involving multiple jurisdictions. In respect of market entry and customs duty planning projects, she has been involved in the roll out of various “go-direct” models, working together with internal company stakeholders from finance, tax, supply chain, logistics, legal, and trade compliance, to set up internal processes for seamless operations from a trade compliance perspective. Other areas of focus include advising on requirements relating to product safety standards, origin markings and labelling, environmental and occupational safety and health requirements, as they pertain to cross border movement of goods and intersection with Customs authorities.
In view of increasing audits in the Asia Pacific region, Felicia has spent a majority of her time supporting companies with audits by Customs authorities in the Asia Pacific region including onsite verification visits by Customs authorities (e.g., Korea customs Services) on issues pertaining to origin calculations, valuations and classifications, and helping companies defend in-country customs audits in various Asia Pacific countries including India, China, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.
She also regularly conducts trade compliance training workshop for in-house teams and a frequent speaker on various customs topics. Felicia graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) degree with specialisation in Finance, Operations and Supply Chain Management, from the National University of SingaporeA private sector perspectivePresenter:Pier Paolo Ghetti Partner, Deloitte Global Trade AdvisoryBio PresentationAfter a relevant experience in trade advisory in 2014, Pier joined the Studio Tributario e Societario – Deloitte. Pier has assisted various multinational companies across different sectors assess their global supply chain and trade model to be customs and international trade compliant as well as to facilitate the most beneficial customs and international trade position on a global perspective. Pier advises clients on a wide range of customs and international trade topics covering import and customs procedures, and export compliance. His experience includes traditional topics such as customs valuation, tariff classification and origin, as well as customs processes reviews and optimization, including automation of origin and classification, trade procedures and processes.
He holds a master’s degree in International Economics (Università di Trieste) and a postgraduate Master in International Trade Techniques (Italian Trade Institute, Rome).The case of Fonterra, New ZealandPresenter:Kit Hickey Group Customs Manager, Fonterra Cooperative Group, LtdBio PresentationKit Hickey is Fonterra Cooperative Group Customs Manager. Providing specialist customs advice to Fonterra’s manufacturing & trading activities, business methodologies and strategic direction. This involves regular interaction with border agencies on goods clearance matters, secure supply chains, post entry audits, disclosures & appeals, and implementation of trade agreements & market access. Other activities include developing and delivering in-house training on classification, preferential rules of origin and valuation and conducting performance reviews of logistics and external service providers including customs brokers.
Kit represents Fonterra at the World Customs Organization’s Private Sector Consultative Group and is currently providing private sector input on rules of origin to the WCO review of the Revised Kyoto Convention.
New Zealand Customs Service, during Kit’s time with customs, he conducted audits of importers, exporters, and excise, and as a member of the Technical Group provided classification, valuation & origin advice.
Kit was a member of the Trade Policy Group involved in policy development of Trade Single Window and a trade negotiator for Rules of Origin/Operational Procedures of trade agreements and directly participated in and/or lead - Thailand/New Zealand CEP, Malaysia/New Zealand FTA & ASEAN/Australia/New Zealand FTA. Kit was the customs delegate to APEC and STAR for three years. 23 years in the military in New Zealand, Oman and SaudiArabia.Q&A
Session 4: Way forward: A RCEP policy and capacity building agenda
- 11:30–12:00nn
- Moderator:Pramila A. Crivelli Economist, Regional Cooperation and Integration Division, Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department, Asian Development BankBio
Pramila A. Crivelli is an economist at the Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Her main fields of specializations are applied econometrics, international trade policy, regional trade agreements, trade negotiations, rules or origin, and nontariff measures, and geographical indications. At ADB, her current work focuses on trade agreements, aid for trade, the digital economy, and on supporting the APEC regional forum.
Prior to joining ADB in November 2020, she was an assistant professor at the Goethe University Frankfurt leading the Chair of International Trade. Pramila’s work has been published in academic peer reviewed journals including the Journal of International Economics and The World Economy. With a strong expertise in applied economic policy and technical cooperation, she served as an economic affairs officer at United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, researcher at the European University Institute, and the World Trade Organization. Widely experience in delivering capacity building and advisory services to governments, public and private institutions, and trade negotiators in multilateral and regional fora, she carried out consultancies for various clients in Asia and Africa. She received her PhD in economics from the University of Geneva.Panel discussion: All expertsQ&A:Closing by ADB
Video recordings:
- Session 1:Session 2:Session 3 & 4:
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