The governments of Uruguay and Argentina signed the Mutual Recognition Agreement for Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programs this Thursday (07.11.2019), in the city of Montevideo, made effective between the General Director of Customs of Argentina, Lic. Diego Dávila and the National Director of Customs of Uruguay, Cr. Jaime Borgiani.
Within the framework of the work of the OAS MERCOSUR, a joint validation visit was made to Argentina in February of this year to observe how the OAS team in Argentina audits the requirements of its Program, and Argentine officials did the same between June 3 and 7, 2019 in Montevideo.
Following a joint assessment, both AEO teams have confirmed that their respective Programs are managed as initiatives to strengthen the security of the supply chain and improve trade facilitation. In addition, they are aligned with internationally recognized security standards established in the "SAFE Regulatory Framework" adopted by the World Customs Organization (WCO).
At the opening event, which was attended by foreign trade operators and officials of the institution, the document was signed and the Directors made brief statements on the matter.
The National Director of Customs of Uruguay, Mr. Jaime Borgiani, together with his counterpart from Argentina, Mr. Diego Dávila. Photo: Customs of Uruguay
Mr. Dávila stressed the importance of this bilateral agreement, which means “a kick-off” since it is the first one signed by the Argentine Republic. The Authorized Economic Operator Program, in the sister country, began approximately a year and a half ago, despite which it already has “a reach close to 70 or 80 companies plus some transport agents, plus some dispatchers, plus some transporters.”
Dávila closed his speech by thanking Cr. Borgiani and the entire Uruguayan Customs team for the work carried out to close this agreement.
For his part, Cr. Borgiani said: “This process of agreements between Customs (…) is irreversible, because Foreign Trade today demands that, calls for collaboration between the different Customs offices, exchange of information so that the Customs offices know their operators, therefore it is no coincidence that today we are signing with the Argentine Republic, on Wednesday we will sign the agreement with MERCOSUR and soon with the Pacific Alliance."
Borgiani then addressed the Uruguayan Economic Operators, many of whom were present in the audience, acknowledging that for them this “It is a new bet. Implementing the Mutual Recognition agreements takes a little more time, but what really matters is the will of the Administrations and the will is to move forward, to move forward to give benefits to those operators that are considered trustworthy by the Administration, which leads all of us, all the operators of Uruguay, Argentina, and MERCOSUR to understand the benefits of the program and to commit to the program.”
Finally, the National Director insisted on the need for the Operator to contribute “because it is the future of Foreign Trade.”
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