Hundreds of border agents from Latin American countries attended the workshop on “Coordinated border management and trade facilitation through supply chain security”, which was held virtually on October 17, 19 and 21.
The initiative, promoted by the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), sought primarily to share regional experiences that promote and encourage coordination and cooperation in the implementation of international standards related to border management security.
Strengthening this task, which involves coordinating public services and the private sector to improve fiscal control, border security and trade facilitation, as well as the transit of people, is one of the current regional challenges that must be done jointly.
To this end, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE), Violanda Botet, closed the event by summarizing the meeting and emphasizing the announcements made at the opening by the Deputy Secretary of the OAS that the results generated in the workshop will be the basis for the next meeting with the border control authorities of the OAS member states, planned for 2023.
Botet also highlighted the words of Permanent Secretary of SELA referring to the importance of international and inter-institutional cooperation. In this context, he commented that the customs authorities of Uruguay and Guatemala announced in the first session their national and regional experiences in supply chain security, as well as their projection and challenges in border control.
Coordinated border management covers all borders, whether land, sea, air, or inland, as an interconnected whole. In this regard, the customs authorities of the above-mentioned countries stressed that “free zones are essential for safe trade.” Meanwhile, Antigua and Barbuda – one of the thirteen countries that make up Insular America – shared the threats and risks to maritime protection such as illicit trafficking and illegal fishing.
La second session of the workshop was divided into five groups, continued the Deputy Executive Secretary of CICTE. The first group The focus was on raising awareness in the private sector through the Authorized Economic Operator Program. Customs cooperation with companies “is essential” to offer a high level of security guarantee with regard to their mission in the logistics chain.
Meanwhile, second group The event focused on coordination between customs and other public agencies involved in international trade and the security of the logistics chain. Participants highlighted three fundamental pillars of customs: trade facilitation, control of the entry and exit of goods, and collection. Thus, the National Customs Administration of Panama developed the advances in integration and trade facilitation in the Central American region and highlighted how digitalization has been a fundamental tool for customs procedures.
Also, the group three The focus was on strengthening supply chain security and improving trade facilitation. To this end, the experience of Colombia was used as an illustration, highlighting the following findings:
• Importance of commitment to the WTO facilitation agreement,
• Measures necessary to overcome the crisis caused by the pandemic
• Deepen the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program
• Benefits of mutual recognition agreements
• Plans for micro, medium and large business exporters
• Comprehensive strategy against drug trafficking.
El fourth group The focus was on comprehensive border security with a focus on trade facilitation through supply chain security. In this regard, information technology designs for improving integrity and social inclusion were analyzed. Also, the platform offered by the World Customs Organization and some participants shared their experience for this purpose.
Finally - Botet concluded - the grupo cinco The event focused on the supply chain and the port community. To this end, the participants were invited to change the mindset that “nothing ever happens” and were encouraged to comply with the procedures established in international agreements, which ensure the movement of goods in order to facilitate trade. The steps necessary for port protection were also reviewed.
The event highlighted the commitment of OAS-CICTE to promote the exchange of experiences and best practices in supply chain security, maritime protection and integrated border management. In addition, he highlighted the spirit of cooperation within the OAS General Secretariat itself and the importance of collaborating with regional organizations such as the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA).
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