A milestone in the world. Central America is a pioneer in implementing 06.12.2021st century customs measures between countries in a regional context. This Monday (XNUMX) six administrations presented the results of the Report of the “Regional Dispatch Time Study (ETD) The report was conducted with the aim of identifying gaps in the flow of trade. This report will allow for actions to be taken to improve the effectiveness of customs procedures and trade facilitation.
According to the authorities, the study showed opportunities for improvement for the customs of the region and the generation of a Regional Action Plan which will allow work together and in a coordinated manner, strengthening the ties of Customs-Customs cooperation as established by the Pillar 1 of the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Regulatory Framework.
It should be noted that this project was derived from the commitment expressed within the agreements of the extraordinary session dated October 9, 2020, where the Central American Customs Committee agreed to carry out a "Study for the Measurement of land transit times of goods and evaluation of processes at border posts in Central America", turning this initiative into the realization of the First Study of Regional Dispatch Times that worldwide It has been developed under the OMA methodology, which is an unprecedented milestone. In addition, the initiative had with the support of the European Union, within the framework of the Regional and Central American Economic Integration Project (INTEC).
El Superintendent of the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT) of Guatemala, Marco Livio Diaz Reyes, he said: “From now on, we will take on the new challenges and hard work that will come from each of the respective National Action Plans and the Regional Plan, in order to mitigate and close the gaps found. Today, the Customs of Central America are a world reference and with this we are contributing to the Region that we all love.”
"This study presents relevant inputs to evaluate the competitiveness of the region and lays the foundations for continuing to advance towards logistics efficiency. Without a doubt, it will become an important work tool that will contribute to reducing the transit times between the customs of the Central American countries and will accelerate the path towards regional integration for the benefit of the entire population and the productive sectors.”, affirmed the Minister of Economy of Guatemala and President Pro Tempore of the Council of Ministers of Central American Economic Integration (COMIECO), Antonio Malouf.
El Secretary General of the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA), Francisco A. Lima Mena indicated that “The ETD is a relevant milestone within the framework of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and the Central American Strategy for Trade Facilitation and Competitiveness with an emphasis on coordinated border management, which complements the measures contained therein; at the same time it strengthens national actions and projects or those of pairs of countries in this area that is so strategic for trade.
"We have coordinated efforts from the WCO Regional Vice-Presidency for the Americas and the Caribbean and the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Central American Customs Committee, to promote the adoption of WCO best practices in Customs Administrations, particularly in the Measurement of Average Clearance Times, replicating what was done in Guatemala in 2019 and betting on the simplification, automation and transparency of the processes.", emphasized the Superintendent of Customs of Guatemala and Pro Tempore President of the Central American Customs Committee, Werner Ovalle Ramírez.
"This regional study must be carried out constantly, since everything that can be measured can be improved. The purpose of the Regional Dispatch Time Study will be: the facilitation of trade, increased revenue collection and security for the countries of the region.”highlighted the Deputy Secretary General of the WCO, Ricardo Treviño Chapa.
At the end of the meeting, a Regional Action Plan was signed, which will be part of the work agenda during the next meetings and will allow for the promotion of coordinated border management, through inter-institutional cooperation, which will have a more significant impact on logistics and the competitiveness of Central America.
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