Last week, San Salvador, El Salvador, hosted important regional meetings on customs cooperation. One of the highlights was the Joint Customs-Private Sector Forum of the Americas and the Caribbean, held on May 7th behind the 27th Regional Conference of Directors General of Customs of the Americas and the Caribbean.
The forum, organized by El Salvador Customs in conjunction with the WCO Regional Vice-Presidency for the Americas and the Caribbean and the GRSP, responded to the WCO's focus on integrated border merchandise management, which promotes close coordination between Customs and the private sector.
In this sense, they participated Prominent figures Ricardo Treviño Chapa, Assistant Secretary-General of the WCO; Alfonso Rojas González, President of the GRSP for the Americas and the Caribbean; Jaime King, President of the PSCG (IFCBA); and Benjamin Mayorga, Director General of Customs of El Salvador, according to the organizers.
During the forum the following issues were addressed: Topics key as:
- Technological innovation in customs management.
- Promoting female leadership.
- Fight against smuggling, with specific examples such as tequila and tobacco.
- Sustainable trade.
- Inclusion of SMEs in global trade.
- Promoting a culture of ethics, transparency, and coordination at borders.
In addition, they were presented concrete experiences collaboration of GCSP members. Procomex He noted that John Mein, Executive Coordinator of the Procomex Alliance Institute, highlighted the progress made in Coordinated Border Management, emphasizing its contribution to operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and transparency.
Fabian Villaroel Rios, President of ICHI, highlighted progress in areas such as SMEs, green customs, artificial intelligence, and integrity, although he warned of the gaps that remain in the simplification of processes and the implementation of clear and accessible regulations.
On the other hand, ASAPRA announced the signing of strategic agreements with the Procomex Alliance and the Educomex platform, operated by SINDASP and Feaduaneiros, with the aim of strengthening the technical training of customs professionals in the region.
COMALEP
In that framework, the And May 8 9 The XLV was held in San Salvador Meeting of National Customs Directors of Latin America, Spain, and Portugal, organized by COMALEP, whose Permanent Secretariat is headed by Mexican Customs. Ibero-American customs authorities and international organizations such as the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) participated, addressing topics such as transnational organized crime, environmental crimes, new tariff policies, and institutional strengthening. Recognitions were also given for innovative initiatives and best practices, according to ANAM.
Thus, last week concluded in San Salvador with an agenda of key meetings for 2025: the 27th Regional Conference of Directors General of Customs of the Americas and the Caribbean, the 5th Joint Customs-Private Sector Forum, and the 45th COMALEP Meeting, consolidating the region as an active space for customs dialogue and cooperation.
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