The purpose of this study is to analyze the implementation of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program by small and medium-sized enterprises (hereinafter referred to as "SMEs") in Incheon area, which has the richest base of manufacturing sector in K...
The purpose of this study is to analyze the implementation of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program by small and medium-sized enterprises (hereinafter referred to as "SMEs") in Incheon area, which has the richest base of manufacturing sector in Korea. The study tries to propose policy recommendations for more efficient support for the SMEs by means of the results of 『Incubating Program』 which is program to support SMEs under the Industrial-Governmental-Educational Partnership in Incheon Area. In order to provide an opportunity for companies in the city through the utilization of FTA and support for AEO certification, Inha University (Jungseok Research Institute of International Logistics and Trade), Incheon Main Customs (Audit Bureau), Incheon Chamber of Commerce (Secretariat), which signed an MOU, have been driving 『Local Promising SMEs Incubating Program』Plan (hereinafter referred to as "incubator program").
The contents of this study and the results can be summarized as follows. Since the outbreak of the 9.11 terror attack, the United States launched the huge border management agencies named 'Department of Homeland Security'(integration of Customs, Immigration, Quarantine Authority, Coast Guard and Border Guard) and has implemented supply chain security management system such as C-TPAT, CSI, 24 Hour Rule, 100% Rule and export inspection system ect. to conduct risk management in the exporting country through the expansion of Customs Line. In particular, the WCO based on C-TPAT, private-governmental partnership program to prevent terrorism in the U.S., established the international standard 'SAFE Framework,' and recommended countries around the world to adopt the system in order to pursue trade security and facilitation at the same time. ISO (International Organization for Standardization) instituted a logistics security management certification system as a standard, ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) has been implementing Aviation Safety and security measures by the Convention on plasticity and the IMO (International Maritime Organization) has also been implementing ISPS Code System for the safety of the Ship and Port Facility.
The proportion of SMEs amounts to 99.9% of entire 158,000 companies in Incheon area, except 114 large companies. In case of FTA utilization, the exports by Korea-ASEAN FTA is 14% and the imports is 27% based on the amount of exports in 2009. Thus, the utilization of Korea-ASEAN FTA is very low. In case of companies in Incheon, the majority of companies (73.8%) are charged with current MFN tariffs, and the preferential tariffs (using FTA) apply to a few (0.9%). In terms of AEO certification, none of SMEs at all of the entire nine AEO certified companies(based on December 8, 2010).
As results of incubating program promotion, five companies were designated as the certified exporter by items and one of them was designated as the certified exporter by company for the utilization of preferential tariffs under the EU-Korea FTA. Also, the program has been successfully evaluated in respect that the utilization practice of this program at 『2010 FTA Business Success Practice Contest』 got Excellent Award. However, the delay of the implementation of Korea-U.S. FTA and Korea-EU FTA as well as the lack of the SMEs' human resources for trade made it difficult to utilize FTAs. As a result, it is so regretful that only one company got AEO certification under the consulting support.
There are numerous studies on the FTA utilization and AEO certification. Therefore, policy implications and stable diffusion plans about supporting AEO certification for the SMEs is proposed as follows based on AEO driving results, listening to feedback, surveys from related industry sectors (export-import companies, customs brokers, forwarders, etc.) and interviews with the audit team inside AEO certified companies in this study.
First, it is important to make the legal basis which can support consulting and training for the SMEs vulnerable to human resources and costs. Because of the lack of interests by SMEs, it is desperately required to publicize AEO system and to support education. In addition, according to the future personnel requirements planning of the Korea Customs Service (KCS) in charge of AEO system, it is required to install tentatively named 『AEO Certification Audit Division』and to secure additional personnel about 15 staffs. During the next five years, about 500 companies including export and import companies need to be certified audit(about 100 companies per year), and the companies after authorized validity period (four years) is scheduled to occur an additional works about the renewal audit. Due to AEO certification delay, when AEO mutual recognition agreement (MRA) with foreign countries has been contracted, in case that number of AEO companies is few in our country, benefits to exporting goods become smaller, and so exporting industries is relatively disadvantageous with the FTAs.
Second, according to a survey, it shows that they want system publicity and education institutions (37% of answering companies), and supporting the equipment and consultant costs (28%) this year. Until even now, although many institutions publicity and education have done, it should be continued now and forever. In other words, to encourage the SMEs to participate in AEO application, it needs that the sessions on AEO and FTA utilization targeting CEOs and executives should be held.
Third, regarding the policy operating competitiveness in the local community, political response of the central government as well as that of local governments should be changed. When AEO certification cooperate with the central government, Incheon Main Customs as well as local government, Incheon Metropolitan City, Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, Incheon Chamber of Commerce, Incheon Business Agency, Incheon Branch of Korea International Trade Association and such cooperation is based, I think it brings better effect.
Fourth, the MRA is to be carried forward simultaneously. AEO program, which cannot signed a MRA on AEO certification with other countries, is only limited to the domestic, so there is half of the effect. These facts are the reason we are pursuing the MRA and the expansion of AEO certifications simultaneously.
Fifth, recently modern society emphasize on mutual cooperation between large companies and the SMEs, and corporate social responsibility (CSR). According to this social environment, AEO-certified large companies carried forward 'project creating ASC (Authorized Supply Chain) Model'' with the Noblesse Oblige spirit. In other words, it is a project that AEO certified companies support the SMEs supplying goods to AEO certified companies such as sharing AEO experiences and transmitting AEO techniques. Incheon Main Customs already received certification examination for five companies of the related 10 companies, and the remaining five companies are under certification examination and preparation for application. In terms of supporting certification costs, there are the requirements that the support is available when it uses its own customs broker and we provide the best practices which are actually helpful in case of preparing themselves to be certified, so political recommendations is suggested.
Sixth, according to a survey, the SMEs is desperately the most important to get direct support for human resources and funding. The support should be provided according to characteristics by the fields, including customs broker or forwarders in a similar way such as the SMEs Administration's 『International Standards Certification Support Program』. In addition, I think it is a good way to make up and operate 『emergency supporting team』under the Private-Governmental Partnership against the visiting audit of foreign customs authorities and the verification request by foreign trading companies regarding the rules of origin and the implementation of AEO.