The Samahan sa Pilipinas ng mga Industriyang Kimika (SPIK) recently participated in a Capacity Building Workshop focused on the Effective Management of Confidential Business Information (CBI) in Inwards Customs Clearance. This event took place on February 25th at the Hwabaek International Convention Center in Gyeongju, South Korea, as part of the APEC Chemical Dialogue within the APEC 2025 framework.

The workshop showcased a distinguished lineup of speakers from Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam. Throughout six sessions, these experts delved into the importance of CBI and trade secrets, the process of submitting such information to government entities, and the strategies for overcoming current industry challenges.

A highlight of the event was a breakout session featuring a case study that demonstrated the creation of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for products, providing a hands-on understanding of CBI management in practice. The discussions and presentations offered invaluable knowledge and best practices that are essential for navigating the customs clearance process with confidential information.

Attendees from the Philippines included Atty. Geniefelle Lagmay, the Acting Director of Ports Operations Service of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Atty. Kristine Dinar Sison from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Engr. Gretchen F. Enarle of SPIK. The overall experience was profoundly enriching, offering a wealth of information and practical advice for professionals in the field.