Imagine if cross-border trade flowed as smoothly as traffic on a modern highway, with significantly improved customs clearance efficiency. What kind of economic vitality could this bring to Peru? The World Customs Organization (WCO) is working with Peru to turn this vision into reality.
From November 8-11, 2021, the WCO conducted a four-day follow-up mission to Peru's border agencies under the framework of the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP) and through the WCO Mercator Programme. This mission followed an initial national border agency cooperation assessment conducted in June 2021, aiming to deepen collaboration and enhance Peru's border control efficiency.
Enhancing Coordination to Break Down Barriers
The mission brought together officials from Peru's National Customs Administration (SUNAT) and representatives from various border control agencies. The primary objectives were to introduce the WCO's Coordinated Border Management (CBM) concept, review Peru's recent progress in border control, and develop an action plan to strengthen comprehensive border management measures at Peru's land borders.
Through detailed presentations, WCO experts and SUNAT officials outlined both the current status and challenges Peru faces in implementing CBM. These challenges include:
- Insufficient information sharing: Poor communication between border agencies leads to redundant inspections and resource waste.
- Lack of coordination mechanisms: Absence of effective coordination makes it difficult to respond to emergencies and complex situations.
- Technological limitations: Outdated information technology systems hinder customs efficiency and supervision capabilities.
- Legal constraints: Current laws and regulations lag behind modern requirements, limiting effective CBM implementation.
Customized Solutions for Peru's Needs
Considering Peru's legal framework and the needs of various stakeholders including agricultural and fishing industries, the mission focused on developing a specific roadmap and methodology to strengthen CBM in Peru. This roadmap will include:
- Standardization and process simplification: Promoting uniform operational standards across border agencies to streamline procedures.
- Information sharing and resource optimization: Establishing efficient platforms to avoid redundant inspections.
- Risk-based management: Implementing targeted supervision for high-risk goods to improve efficiency.
- Capacity building: Enhancing training programs for border personnel.
- Technology integration: Leveraging advanced technologies like big data and AI to modernize border controls.
Charting the Path Forward
In the coming weeks, the WCO will collaborate with Peruvian authorities to draft an implementation roadmap for the WCO CBM concept. This document will serve as a key guide for improving border management and trade facilitation in Peru.
The head of SUNAT stated, "The WCO's expertise is crucial for Peru. We're confident this collaboration will significantly enhance our border management and contribute to Peru's economic development."
The SECO-WCO GTFP program manager emphasized their commitment to supporting Peru's trade facilitation goals, while the WCO Secretary General reaffirmed the organization's leadership role in global trade facilitation efforts.
Implementation Strategies
Drawing from successful CBM implementations in other countries, Peru may consider:
- Establishing a National Border Management Committee
- Implementing joint risk assessment procedures
- Conducting coordinated inspections
- Developing a single window platform for trade documentation
- Strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries
These measures promise to significantly improve Peru's border management efficiency and trade facilitation, creating favorable conditions for sustained economic growth.