Cotecna Philippines Accredited as Bulk and Break Bulk Surveyor

GENEVA, December 22 - On November 16, 2009 Cotecna Inspection SA, Philippines
received accreditation from the Committee for Accreditation of Cargo
Surveying Companies (CACSC), as a bulk and break bulk surveyor for cargo
entering the Philippines. Cotecna is the first company to have complied with
the requirements set by the Philippine government under their Administrative
Order (AO) 243-A stating that, effective January 4 2010, all bulk and
break-bulk cargo entering the Philippines must be inspected by accredited
surveying companies at their port of origin.

The objective of this AO is aimed at streamlining import
procedures for bulk and break-bulk cargo imports. As an accredited surveyor,
Cotecna is required to issue a report on the quantity, grade, etc. of all
cargo shipments bound for the Philippines.

The importer complying with this procedure is able to file
entries for the imported goods and pay duties, taxes and other fees at the
pre-shipment stage. Confirmation of this procedure will permit the importer
to rapidly clear Customs upon arrival.

About Cotecna

Founded in Switzerland in 1974, the COTECNA Group offers a
wide range of trade facilitation services, trade security services and
quality certification standards. Cotecna is a pioneer in areas such as risk
management, destination inspection and scanner integration projects and also
offers Customs modernization programmes, Customs valuation assistance, trade
security solutions and commercial inspections. For a full description of our
services, please visit www.cotecna.com. The Cotecna Group has a
combined workforce of about 4,000 employees and agents in close to 100
offices.

    Cotecna Press
    Alison Bourgeois
    Vice President Corporate Communications
    Geneva
    +41-22-849-78-23
    press@cotecna.ch

Cotecna Press: Alison Bourgeois, Vice President Corporate Communications, Geneva, +41-22-849-78-23, press at cotecna.ch