The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Apeco) has secured a crucial regulatory milestone that is expected to unlock pending investments and accelerate business decisions among prospective locators. The Bureau of Customs formally recognized Apeco as an importing and exporting freeport zone with authority to accredit traders, addressing a significant bottleneck for companies dependent on international trade operations.
In a memorandum issued on April 6, Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno amended earlier regulations to include Apeco among government agencies authorized to accredit importers and exporters under the Customs Client Profile Registration System (CPRS). This order also formally lists Apeco as a recognized free zone authority alongside two other new entrants: Poro Point Management Corp. in La Union and John Hay Management Corp. in Baguio.
Apeco president and CEO Gil Taway IV emphasized the importance of this development for the economic zone's growth trajectory:
"This development is expected to unlock pending investments and fast-track decision-making among our prospective locators. Some investors have been waiting for this formal recognition before proceeding with their projects, particularly those with import-export requirements."
The CPRS is a mandatory registration system for importers and exporters transacting with the Bureau of Customs. Previously, Apeco locators had to coordinate with multiple agencies to secure accreditation, creating administrative delays. Under the new policy, Apeco can now facilitate CPRS accreditation directly, enabling faster activation of importer and exporter profiles and streamlining customs transactions for firms operating within the ecozone.
In a related development, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines welcomed another Bureau of Customs measure extending the validity of import accreditation from one year to three years, a move aimed at reducing costs and simplifying procedures.
The chamber stated: "This development helps reduce administrative barriers, allowing our local industries to focus on economic productivity. We commend this decisive step toward a more competitive, transparent and efficient trade environment that aligns perfectly with the national goal of sustainable economic growth."
This accreditation comes as Apeco has been positioning itself as a potential data center hub and anticipates commercial flights to Aurora by 2027, with a US firm previously expressing interest in a $200 million hydrogen energy investment in the zone.