Imagine Latin America and the Caribbean shedding their long-standing label as mere "raw material suppliers" and emerging as dynamic manufacturing and trade centers within global value chains. This transformation goes beyond economic development—it is a matter of regional competitiveness and future potential. The World Customs Organization (WCO) is spearheading innovative initiatives to facilitate this shift.
WCO's Strategic Focus: Global Standards and Connectivity
On October 20–21, 2014, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya delivered a keynote address at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) headquarters in Washington, D.C., during a trade and integration event. The forum brought together deputy trade ministers and customs directors from across Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen collaboration between customs and trade agencies, enhancing economic competitiveness at national and regional levels—particularly following the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
Secretary General Mikuriya emphasized the importance of global standards in ensuring border connectivity. He outlined key components of the WCO's Economic Competitiveness Package, designed to foster cooperation among customs, businesses, and government agencies in regional integration contexts:
- Standardization and Consistency: Adopting unified global standards to reduce trade barriers and streamline clearance processes.
- Collaborative Governance: Promoting information sharing and joint operations between stakeholders.
- Regional Integration: Facilitating intra-regional trade by lowering transaction costs and boosting competitiveness.
The Mercator Program: Customized Capacity Building
A highlight of Mikuriya's presentation was the Mercator Program, launched during the WCO Council sessions in June 2014. This initiative provides tailored technical assistance to customs administrations, focusing on:
- Needs Assessment: Identifying member-specific requirements to design personalized support frameworks.
- Skills Development: Delivering training, technical guidance, and best practice exchanges.
- Institutional Reform: Modernizing customs procedures to align with international standards.
- Technology Adoption: Implementing advanced IT solutions for efficient risk management and clearance.
Data-Driven Risk Management: A Cornerstone of Trade Facilitation
Mikuriya underscored the critical role of accurate, timely data in enabling early risk assessment—a prerequisite for effective trade facilitation. The WCO's data standardization efforts, including its Data Model and Pre-loading Advance Cargo Information system, support risk-based approaches and advance Single Window objectives by:
- Proactive Risk Identification: Flagging high-risk shipments before arrival.
- Resource Optimization: Concentrating inspections on targeted consignments.
- Supply Chain Security: Mitigating illicit trade and terrorism risks.
- Process Simplification: Enabling single submission of trade documents.
IDB Research: Mapping Opportunities and Challenges
The event showcased two pivotal IDB publications analyzing the region's trade landscape:
- 2014 Trade and Integration Monitor: Examined global economic headwinds' impact on the region, advocating for deeper integration and export diversification.
- Factory Synchronization: Assessed Latin America's participation in global value chains, recommending infrastructure upgrades and workforce upskilling.
Collaborative Pathways Forward
The WCO-IDB partnership exemplifies how multilateral cooperation can drive trade modernization. Through shared expertise, technical assistance, and capacity building, these organizations are equipping the region's customs authorities to navigate 21st-century trade architectures—where data transparency, regulatory coherence, and risk management define competitiveness.
As Latin America and the Caribbean pursue industrialization strategies, adopting global standards, strengthening regional ties, and implementing advanced customs technologies will be decisive in attracting investment, generating employment, and achieving sustainable growth. The WCO remains committed to supporting this transformation through its Mercator Program and Economic Competitiveness Package, ensuring the region claims its rightful place in global value chains.