The need to move towards digitalization, sustainability and the generation of trust between the world public and private, In addition to highlighting Chile's leadership in establishing trade agreements, these were part of the conclusions obtained after concluding the meeting on Thursday (09.11.2023). Third Global Origin Conference of the World Customs Organization (OMA) carried out in Santiago.
El Secretary General of the WCO, Kunio Mikuriya, explained that “Customs and the related industry are a support for global trade, making the world well connected. And the Rules of Origin are a very technical subject, but this is the core of regional integration and connectivity.”
“We talk a lot about digitalization, what the effect is on global trade, but the most important part is building trust. Trust between customs, businesses, other government agencies, and even academia and other international organizations. So I really appreciate this opportunity to network and be able to take a snapshot of where we are in terms of global trade,” added the highest authority of the world’s Customs who was in Chile participating in the conference, which was, in the end, one of his last activities before leaving office at the end of 2023.
La National Director of Customs, Alejandra Arriaza, He noted that the conference left “all participants from both the public and private sectors very pleased, because it generated an open dialogue for work and the future of international relations within the framework of trade agreements and rules of origin.”
He also highlighted “the recognition that the World Customs Organization gives Chile as an example in its international agreements, as well as the National Customs Service for the work it does every day in technical cooperation with other countries. And, of course, it is worth highlighting that this also allows us to establish trust, to work for a better development of international trade, of the different member countries of the WCO, so it was a very fruitful dialogue.”
BoardsThe 3rd WCO Global Origin Conference brought together nearly 500 experts from 82 countries, most in person and part via streaming. There were 6 expert-led panel discussions and conversations on origin business, which allowed for in-depth discussions on the implementation of trade agreements, the simplification of implementation processes, the factors influencing the use of trade preferences and the establishment of trust.
Digitalisation within the procedures of origin was also addressed, highlighting best practices in the exchange of data between Customs and the benefits of Comex single windows, in addition to advancing sustainability.
Support from the Chilean Government. The greetings sent by the President of the Republic, Gabriel Boric, the Undersecretary of the Interior, Manuel Monsalve, and the Undersecretary of International Economic Relations, Claudia Sanhueza, were also highlighted. These authorities highlighted the role of Customs in the development of foreign trade and the security of maritime, land and air borders.
In addition, in parallel to the conference Kunio Mikuriya accompanied by Alejandra Arriaza had meetings with the Minister of Finance, Mario Marcel, the President of the Senate, Juan Antonio Coloma, and Undersecretary Sanhueza, in addition to participating in the closing of the assembly and congress of the International Association of Professional Customs Agents (Asapra).
Importance of standards. The Rules of Origin are the requirements that exporters must meet so that their products can be considered originating, thus accessing tariff reductions that allow them to better compete in the destination markets.
In Chile, according to figures released by the Undersecretary of International Economic Relations, within the framework of the 33 trade treaties and agreements in force, 29 of them incorporate the elimination or reduction of tariffs for products that are exchanged subject to compliance with rules of origin, corresponding to 95% of total exports.
In fact, in 2022, more than 200.000 Certificates of Origin were issued for products exported from our country: 90.000 for destinations in Asia; 72.000 for Latin America and 43.000 for Europe.
Regarding imports, in 2022, 79,4% of total purchases made by Chile were subject to the conditions established by one of the trade treaties or agreements.
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