The Ministry of Commerce is calling on all exporters to update their information on the certificate of origin (CO) of goods automated system for requesting the CO form D for ASEAN export, which will be mandatory from June 1.

The CO Form D is required by ASEAN countries that import agricultural products from Cambodia.

In a notification on Thursday, the ministry said that to comply with the requirements of the ASEAN Secretariat on the implementation of e-form D, the ministry’s Export-Import Department will update the automated system.

A CO is an official document used to confirm the origin of a product that has been manufactured exclusively in a country. The document is generally the core of the import documents required by the importing country.

The ministry said the inspection of the products and the export of goods shall be carried out by the technical officer of the ministry at the production site, at the depot or at the warehouse, as required by the company or exporter.

Keo Mom, the CEO of Ly Ly Food Industry Co Ltd, one of the Kingdom’s largest food processing factories, told The Post on Sunday that an update to the D-form certificate will provide a great benefit to all companies and exporters to the ASEAN market.

The Industry 4.0 revolution has encouraged the use of electronic systems, thereby reducing some unnecessary procedures to save time and money, she said.

“The update will make exporting easier and faster,” she said, adding that all exporters want more online solutions.

Royal Academy of Cambodia economics researcher Hong Vanak said the update is necessary to increase the potential as well as facilitate for the export of goods to international markets.

If the work is done correctly, he said, it is not only easy for companies or exporters, but the authorities to be able to control the export of goods and be able to clearly understand the origin of produced goods.

“E-work is very positive for exporters and for the state to easily set the tariff if there is clear control,” he said.