A specialized training initiative is equipping senior tax and customs officials across Central America with strategic leadership skills to navigate evolving global economic challenges. The program, developed through international collaboration, concluded its third and fourth sessions in October 2022 in Antigua, Guatemala.
Program Design and Partners
The joint initiative by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Spain's Institute of Fiscal Studies (IEF), and the World Customs Organization (WCO) addresses regional needs for enhanced strategic capabilities in revenue administration. The program received academic support from Spain's National Distance Education University (UNED) and was implemented through the IMF's Central America, Panama, and Dominican Republic Technical Assistance Center (CAPTAC-DR).
Curriculum Structure
Each 14-week program combines online and in-person components:
- Online phase: Theoretical foundations and case studies delivered through digital platforms
- In-person workshops: Practical skill development through seminars, group discussions, and simulations
Core Competencies
The curriculum covers critical areas for modern revenue administration:
- Strategic planning and performance management
- Risk assessment methodologies
- Leadership development and team motivation
- Innovative approaches to customs operations
- Implementation of trade facilitation standards
- Modernization of tax collection systems
Regional Participation
The Guatemala session brought together over 40 senior officials from 10 Central American countries, including participants from Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru through the WCO's Global Trade Facilitation Program (GTFP). The face-to-face component, delayed by pandemic restrictions, facilitated substantive professional exchange and regional networking.
Participant Feedback
Officials reported significant professional development, with several committing to implement learned methodologies in their national systems. A Colombian customs official noted enhanced understanding of strategic customs operations, while a Peruvian tax administrator highlighted practical techniques for improving revenue collection transparency.
Future Development
A fifth program session scheduled for late November will focus on contemporary management skills, with particular emphasis on voluntary compliance strategies for taxpayers and customs brokers. The curriculum will address leadership in organizational change, effective communication techniques, and conflict resolution methodologies.
The WCO's GTFP continues to support implementation of WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement standards across developing regions, with Central American capacity building as a key component of broader economic development efforts.