Coordinated border action was the training topic of the workshop organized by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the National Customs Directorate (DNA) of Uruguay in the city of Montevideo, between August 6 and 10, 2018.
Experts
The workshop was led by international experts on the subject such as Armen Manukyan, Technical Advisor of OMA, Roberto Acuña Baldizón, Head of the Customs Processes Department of Costa Rica and María Florencia Róvere, Assistant Technical Director of the General Directorate of Customs of Argentina.
During the opening, Manukyan thanked the participants for committing to a issue of vital importance for security and the economy of the country as is the “Coordinated Border Management”.
Border, new concept
In turn, Enrique Canon, National Director of Customs of Uruguay, referred to the change in the concept of "border" as a result of the phenomenon of globalization. In this regard, the official said that when we talk about By border we do not mean a dividing line, but rather we speak of unity, of living forces that converge at a point where nations unite and seek exchange and integration, with the aim of living and growing.
The meeting was attended by border security control agencies, trade facilitation and the transit of people. Officials from the DNA, the National Port Administration, the National Meat Institute, the National Police, the National Border Crossings Directorate, the National Naval Prefecture, the Communications Services Regulatory Unit, the Foreign Trade Single Window and the Inter-American Development Bank were present.
Also attending were members of the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Transport and Public Works and the Ministry of Housing, Territorial Planning and Environment of Uruguay.
Coordination and good practices
The occasion was a great opportunity to deepen coordination and synergy between agencies, as well as to improve efficiency in the development of foreign trade. In addition, based on case studies, the workshop aimed to find good practices.
«Good work together»
In closing, Manukyan thanked “all the participants of the workshop for their active participation and the feedback we received. I think we did a very good job together.” He added: “It was very useful not only for you because you were able to share experiences but also on a personal level because I learned a lot about how you work.”
Canon, for its part, acknowledged the participation of the agencies and customs officials. It stated: “The time has come to take advantage of the workshop, which is a boost and a boost for our work. The goal is to improve our international ranking and that cannot be done by any Customs office in the world alone, but can only be done if efforts are coordinated.”.
Experts in Coordinated Border Management. Photo: DNA
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