Trade facilitation is no longer a technical concept reserved for customs and logistics specialists. Today, it is a central element for improving countries' competitiveness, attracting investment, and promoting international integration. In this context, the creation and effective operation of a National Trade Facilitation Committee in Argentina, as established by the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), is an urgent need.
Many speak of indiscriminate openness, but the numbers show that until 2024 we were the fourth most closed economy in the world, and with this year's import and GDP data, we will continue to be among the 10 most closed countries in the world in terms of what we import relative to what we produce. According to the World Bank, the import of goods and services represents 12,8% of GDP, while in Brazil it is 17,5% and Chile 30%.
| Country | 2024 |
| Sudan | 1,27% |
| Ethiopia | 11,76% |
| Argentina | 12,83% |
Prepared by the authors according to World Bank Data 2024.
🟦The international mandate: WTO and ATF
El AFC, in force since February 2017, obliges WTO member countries to establish and maintain a National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC)This body is to coordinate, at the national level, the implementation of the provisions of the agreement, which include:
- Simplification and harmonization of customs procedures.
- Transparency and publication of standards.
- Cooperation between border agencies.
- Efficient risk management and inspections.
The Committee is not merely a formal forum: its task is to bring together government authorities, the private sector, business chambers, logistics operators, and civil society, ensuring that the implementation of measures responds to the real needs of foreign trade.
🟦The WCO's vision: coordination and governance at the border
La World Customs Organization (WCO), of which Argentina is a member, has stressed that the border coordination It is key to reducing costs and time. Its guidelines recommend that NCFCs:
- Act as a platform for public-private dialogue.
- Ensure regulatory and technological coherence among the various border agencies.
Promote the use of international standards such as SAFE Framework and Single Window for Foreign Trade.
In countries where these committees operate effectively, a reduction of up to 14% in commercial costs and a substantial improvement in the predictability of operations.
🟦The Argentine case: opportunity and challenge
Argentina does not yet have a National Committee with permanent structure, regulations and work plan, which puts us at a disadvantage compared to trading partners in the region such as Brazil, Uruguay or Chile, which are already operational and reporting progress to the WTO Facilitation Committee in Geneva.
The lack of an active CNFC implies:
- Less coordination between agencies such as Customs, SENASA, ANMAT, ARCA, and other regulatory bodies.
- Low predictability for importers and exporters.
- Missed opportunities to optimize logistics and attract investment.
🟦Concrete benefits of a National Committee in Argentina
The key is to join the world, co-create solutions among the different players in international trade, and then engage with other countries and the WCO to adopt or analyze the best global proposals (benchmarking).
- Reduction of time and costs in ports, airports and border crossings.
- Better business climate for exporting SMEs and logistics operators.
- Greater transparency and predictability in the rules.
- Alignment with international standards, promoting trade agreements and external audits.
- Direct impact on the country's competitiveness, which translates into more exports and employment.
While the national Government decides to implement what is required by the Law that approved the AFC, some province or the Central region could set up its own Trade Facilitation Committee, which would initially propose changes to regulations that hinder and complicate domestic exports.
🟦A call to action
Argentina cannot lag behind in trade facilitation. The creation of a National Committee, with effective participation from the private sector and under the guidelines of the WTO and WCO, is a low-cost, high-impact measure.
In a world where speed, coordination and transparency are crucial, Not having this organization is postponing our competitivenessThe time to act is now.
The author is a Specialist in International Trade and holds a Master's degree in Tax Administration and Public Finance, with a solid academic background and extensive experience in foreign trade and customs policies. He teaches at the National University of Córdoba (UNC) and the Catholic University of Córdoba (UCC), where he lectures on courses related to international trade and trade facilitation. He is also an accredited expert of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and a specialist in trade facilitation.
