The Customs of Panama and the Customs of Ecuador signed this Monday (13.11.2023) a Mutual Recognition Agreement on the Authorized Economic Operator Program (OAS), to ensure and facilitate global trade.
The agreement was signed in the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil by the National Director of Customs of Panama, Tayra Barsallo, and the Director of the National Customs Service of Ecuador, Ralph Steven:
El bilateral agreement It establishes collaboration between participants for the recognition of their respective AEO Programs and guarantees, among other things, the maintenance of the security requirements and criteria adopted by these guidelines, validation processes and monitoring of certified operators, in accordance with the standards of the SAFE Framework.
Amongst the benefits The document highlights the reduction of physical and documentary import inspections in accordance with the risk criteria applicable by each participant, as well as the priority and streamlining of merchandise clearance.
Finally, the Panama Customs indicated that Barsallo also participated along with other exhibitors in the same Ecuadorian city, in the III High Level Meeting of the Regional Public-Private Alliance “COEPA”, for the Prevention and Fight against Illicit Trade in Colombia, Ecuador and Panama.
“This event is of vital importance for these three countries with historical ties, in order to have a multi-dimensional perspective of illicit trade in the region from the academic and private perspectives, two essential sectors in every society for research and economic development,” he concluded.
It is illustrative to remember that Panama has signed a multilateral Mutual Recognition Agreement at the level of the central american region signed by Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Honduras. In addition, the WCO Regional Vice-Presidency for the Americas and the Caribbean has expressed its interest in adhering to the regional MRA of the Americas and the Caribbean, which has been signed by eleven countries.
Today, the Panamanian OAS program has 43 OEA companies, 7 links in the certified logistics chain and 5 companies in the process of certification.
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