With the aim of addressing the processes of integration and coordination between customs authorities, the Regional Conference of Customs Directors of the Americas and the Meeting of National Customs Directors of Latin America, Spain and Portugal began this Monday (29.4.2019) in Asunción. The opening of the conference was attended by the Head of State of Paraguay, Mario Abdo Benítez.
On that occasion, the head of Customs of that country, Julio Fernández, assured that Paraguay is strongly committed to the fight against corruption and the formalization of foreign trade.
El Meeting brings together more than 120 Customs authorities Latin America, Spain and Portugal. The activity takes place at the Sheraton Hotel in our capital and is attended by the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Kunio Mikuriya, the Regional Vice President of the aforementioned organization, Enrique Ramírez, as well as the National Director of Customs of Paraguay, Julio Fernández, and special guests.
Paraguay plans greater efficiency
During the opening ceremony of the Conference under the motto “Addressing common challenges to achieve success”, the head of Customs, Julio Fernández, indicated that Paraguay looks to the future by developing various projects that will ensure effective facilitation of international trade that passes through our borders.
"During this administration we are decisively promoting the single import window, the Authorized Economic Operator Program, the digitalization of all our processes and multiple advances that in the medium term will allow us to have a modern and efficient Customs."He said.
He pointed out that in the case of Paraguay, Customs contributes approximately 45% of the country's tax revenues.
"In this sense, we are committed to processes that are accelerating the formalization of foreign trade, we are committed to processes that will allow us to combat corruption with greater efficiency, because ultimately this implies greater resources to finance the different government programs."He said.
The official pointed out that the Customs Directorate is a key player in the country's economic development and that its role as a control and facilitation service must be strengthened every day by looking at comparative experience and applying the multilateral instruments issued by the World Customs Organization and the World Trade Organization.
Technology, key to competitiveness
Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), indicated that regional integration is a strategic part to achieve greater efficiency in the performance of the function and accelerate economic growth and competitiveness, mainly through the implementation of technology..
“The WCO's mission is to enhance the protection of society, while ensuring and facilitating international trade. To achieve this ambitious mission, we need to keep up to date with the world we live in, driven primarily by technology.a”, he stated.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay
The Head of State @MaritoAbdo opened the XXII Regional Conference of Directors General of Customs of the Americas and the Caribbean (CRDGA) whose motto is “Focusing on common challenges to achieve success” pic.twitter.com/NAdTmXKJX7
— Presidency Paraguay (@PresidenciaPy) April 29th 2019
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