The delegation was led by Andrew Jackson, from IBM's Import Compliance Office and Chairman of the Council's Customs Working Group.

At the consultation, the delegation urged ASEAN to take steps to improve customs and regulatory transparency to encourage further investment and to provide business certainty in this rapidly expanding region.  The delegation proposed the enhancement of customs administration websites to include up-to-date regulatory information and customs procedures.  The Council also proposed that customs administrations consider appointing a dedicated customs contact for key importers to promote increased cooperation on Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) and to implement constructive and trade-enhancing initiatives.

"The high level of cooperation within the ASEAN region on customs modernisation, simplification and commonality is extremely encouraging. In addition, the increasing willingness of individual administrations to engage industry on important issues such as AEO implementation, trade facilitation opportunities and issue resolution management provides strong platform for ensuring the pro-investment agenda of the ASEAN region continues to flourish", Mr. Jackson said.

The Council delegation also had bilateral meetings with senior customs officials from Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia and the Philippines.  The delegation met with the senior customs official from the ASEAN Secretariat. 

ASEAN is the third largest overseas market for U.S. exports, and two-way U.S.-ASEAN trade reached US$170 billion in 2007.  ASEAN customs administrations have a central role to play in ensuring that two-way trade continues to grow.

Formed in 2005, the Customs Working Group has over 25 corporate members.  The Group focuses on the elimination of trade barriers and the promotion of trade facilitation in the ASEAN region.

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The US-ASEAN Business Council and affiliates are dedicated to strengthening bilateral and US ASEAN relations and building strong economic and commercial ties. Members of the Council include Fortune 1000 companies in support of promoting trade, investment, and technology cooperation, advancing US ASEAN relations through strong participation in public-private partnerships, and committing to development and corporate social responsibility. The Council's members are represented in diverse industries, including aerospace, agribusiness, automobiles, computers and information technology, consumer goods, energy exploration and development, express delivery services, financial services, health care and pharmaceuticals, media & entertainment, mining, software, and telecommunications.

For information on the US-ASEAN Business Council or general information visit www.us-asean.org.