Trade facilitation is not merely a slogan to be achieved overnight, but rather a systematic project requiring sincere cooperation between customs authorities, private sector stakeholders, and international organizations. The World Customs Organization (WCO) demonstrated proactive exploration and practice in addressing these challenges during the XL COMALEP Conference and WCO-COMALEP Private Sector Forum held in Asunción, Paraguay, in May 2019.
Conference Background and Structure
At the invitation of Mr. Julio Fernandez Frutos, Director General of Paraguay Customs, and Mr. Ricardo Peralta Saucedo, Director General of Mexico Customs and Permanent Secretary of COMALEP, WCO Deputy Secretary General Ricardo Treviño Chapa attended the events held from May 1-3, 2019. The gathering aimed to strengthen regional customs cooperation, promote trade facilitation, and deepen communication between customs administrations and private sector representatives.
Private Sector Forum: Establishing Public-Private Dialogue
The Private Sector Forum on May 1 focused on "Communication and Cooperation Mechanisms Between the Private Sector and Customs Aimed at Trade Facilitation." Chaired by Mr. Peralta Saucedo, the opening ceremony featured addresses from Mr. Frutos, Mr. Enrique Ramirez Paniagua (Dominican Republic Customs Director and WCO Vice-Chair for the Americas/Caribbean Region), and the WCO Deputy Secretary General.
The WCO Deputy Secretary General emphasized the importance of close collaboration with private sector stakeholders and highlighted key WCO instruments supporting this relationship. He identified five priority areas where private sector input proves particularly valuable:
- Revised Kyoto Convention Review: As one of the most important legal instruments in international customs, its comprehensive review requires consideration of private sector operational realities.
- SAFE Framework and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program: Private sector participation remains crucial for effective AEO implementation and risk management.
- E-Commerce Working Group: With rapid e-commerce growth, private sector insights help address cross-border trade challenges.
- Harmonized System: Private sector experience with HS classification provides valuable feedback for system improvements.
- Performance Measurement: As direct beneficiaries of customs services, private sector perspectives help establish meaningful performance indicators.
XL COMALEP Conference: Advancing Regional Cooperation
The main conference on May 2-3 addressed three critical themes:
- Integration processes and coordination among customs administrations
- Technological challenges in the digital era
- Fiscal risk management strategies
In his keynote address, the WCO Deputy Secretary General outlined the vision for customs administrations in the Americas and Caribbean region, highlighting three strategic objectives aligned with the WCO Strategic Plan 2019-2022. The eight priorities identified in this strategic plan include:
- Promoting trade facilitation
- Enhancing security measures
- Improving revenue collection
- Encouraging compliance
- Building institutional capacity
- Leveraging data analytics
- Strengthening partnerships
- Fostering innovation
Practical Pathways for Enhanced Public-Private Collaboration
The forum's success offers valuable lessons for deepening public-private cooperation:
- Establishing regular communication channels
- Enhancing information sharing mechanisms
- Conducting joint research initiatives
- Providing training and technical support
- Building mutual trust relationships
Through these practical approaches, customs administrations and private sector stakeholders can work together more effectively to advance trade facilitation and contribute to global economic development.