Chile will be the host and organizer of the Third edition of the Global Origin Conference with the motto “The future of the Rules of Origin””. This was announced by the National Customs Service after receiving an invitation from the World Customs Organization (WCO) for its relevant work to position itself as a regional and global reference. This communication confirms that the meeting will take place in November of 2023.
Thus, the Undersecretary of Finance, Claudia Sanhueza, and the National Director of Customs (s), Gustavo Poblete, reported the first details of this global event where it is expected to bring together acabout 250 people coming from the 184 countries Members of the WCO.
The meeting was attended by the Technical Deputy Director, Gabriela Landeros; the Deputy Director of Oversight (s), Ana Karina Ochoa; the Deputy Director of Legal Affairs (s), Jorge Acevedo; the Deputy Director of Human Resources, Francisco Cabellos; the Deputy Director of Administration (s), Luis Morales; the Deputy Director of Information Technology, Julio Pérez; the head of the Department of International Affairs (s), Andrea Ortiz; and the head of the Department of the General Secretariat (s), Patricia Paredes.
“As a government, we are very proud that Chile is hosting this global conference. Representatives from different international customs bodies are coming and will discuss something that is of the utmost importance to this government, (in relation to) the facilitation of international trade,” explained the Treasury official. He also commented that all of this is within the framework of the “productivity agenda,” with a focus on generating new platforms for the facilitation of international trade, “especially for small and medium-sized businesses.”
Exchange of links and knowledge
Customs plays a strategic role in regulating access to tariff benefits determined by these rules, so this is a unique opportunity for Strengthening ties with Customs in the region and the rest of the world, bringing entrepreneurial citizens closer to a exchange of experiences and learning in this field by leading national and international experts. The issues raised will also be addressed Latest trends and modernization of the Rules of Origin and how access to the benefits granted by International Treaties can be facilitated in order to support economic and trade development.
The holding of this global meeting takes on even greater relevance because CChile is characterized by its extensive network of trade agreements, with the Rules of Origin being one of the main tools for its implementation and to be able to access its benefits, within the framework of the 31 trade agreements in force with 65 economies and the Law that establishes preferences for 48 Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
In fact, in 2021, more than 78% of imports arriving in Chile were covered by preferential tariff treatment under an agreement signed by Chile or under Law No. 20.690, which eliminates tariffs on the import of goods from Least Developed Countries.
Likewise, being part of the III Global Conference on Origin of the WCO represents for Customs, and in general for the foreign trade community in Chile, an excellent opportunity to be at the forefront of the latest trends and innovations and to discuss the most current issues with global specialists in the field.
This initiative will also continue the work that the Chilean Customs has led in recent years in this area, highlighting, among others, the agreement reached among all APEC economies to update the Guidelines for Customs Transit in the context of the Subcommittee on Customs Procedures, seeking to facilitate access to tariff preferences when transit operations are carried out through other territories for logistical reasons. They also contribute to the economic development of the country, contributing to the generation of business opportunities and growth for Chilean entrepreneurs, strengthening the productive chains of the region and collaborating with the recognition of Chile in the context of the global community as a business or tourist destination.
Once the organization is more advanced, according to the statement, meetings and actions will be coordinated with other public services in the economic, development and tourism areas, among others; with business associations, associations and guilds of exporting or importing SMEs and MSMEs; with experts in the field of foreign trade and with the world of academia.
Importance of Rules of Origin
The Rules of Origin are a fundamental tool to be able to correctly implement the preferential agreements, significantly affecting its degree of utilization. The aim is for the benefits negotiated with each trading partner to be effectively perceived through the trade exchanged with that economy.
Furthermore, its proper implementation promotes the development of trade and encourages investment. The most modern provisions consider the evolution of production systems, logistics models and technological advances, contributing to greater efficiency along the value chains.
Likewise, the modernization of rules of origin is crucial for the Chilean economy to be able to reap all the potential benefits of its vast network of trade agreements.
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