It is 200 years since the signing of the act on September 15, 1821, which marked the beginning of the independence of the current States of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and at the same time, the birth of solidarity as parts of the same Great Homeland. This milestone in common history was celebrated by the Customs Directors of those countries on Monday (13.09.2021/XNUMX/XNUMX) in a virtual meeting.
The meeting was led by the Guatemalan Customs Superintendent Werner Ovalle, in charge of semi-annual presidency of the Central American Customs Committee“Two hundred years of history, of brotherhood and of incalculable steps towards a common destiny. Even in adversity, the common feeling has prevailed over the storm,” said the official at the opening and added: “Here we are, contributing to the region that we all want: peace, prosperity and well-being for the citizens.”
The head of the Central American Customs Committee reviewed part of the regional history, showing how, from the beginning, the States have shared deep ties through collaboration, cooperation and integration. “In this framework, customs play a fundamental role,” he said. And he clarified that, since they are shaped by the historical situation, “today they are the first impression of foreign trade.”
El Director General of the National Customs Service of Costa Rica, Gerardo Bolaños, also celebrated the bicentennial of Central American independence and evoked supreme words: “Long live work and peace!” He added that customs must “commit to implementing appropriate and timely mechanisms that promote the development and well-being of our population with a view to positioning the region united and robust in the international market.”
In this regard, Samadhy Martínez, National Director of Customs of El Salvador, said that his country “is coordinating the border posts inter-institutionally to achieve the desired modernization of the borders.” In his opinion, the progress in the infrastructure of the Anyatu (60%) and El Amatillo (70%) customs will make them the most modern customs in Central America, facilitating imports and exports for the entire region.
Other authorities emphasized the values that drove the Central American integrative history. “We carry in our veins the historical feat, the impetus, the courage, the determination, the strength and the spirit of sacrifice of those who offered their lives to bequeath us their greatest ideals: hope and unity among Central American brothers,” said the Executive Director of the General Directorate of Customs of Honduras, Juan José Vides. In this regard, he referred to the "deep process of customs union where clearance times have been reduced and procedures have been standardized under one ideal, one territory and one nation."
From that perspective, the Director General of the National Authority of Panama, Tayra Barsallo, alluded to the fact that “Central American customs have constituted a form of integration superior to the existing free trade area.” This is key to another challenge, according to Barsallo: “This commercial practice has resulted in a unity like a large family between the countries.”
“Let us turn the commemoration into an opportunity to join forces, as a team, for the logistical and economic growth of the countries,” said Barsallo at the event where customs joined together to invoke Central American integration and brotherhood.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
