The WCO through the SECO-WCO GTFP participates in the 3rd Edition of the Latin American Meeting of NTFCs in Uruguay

From 23 to 26 May 2023, the World Customs Organization (WCO), through the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP), participated in the 3rd Edition of the Latin American Meeting of National Trade Facilitation Committees (NTFC) hosted by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in collaboration with the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI), in Montevideo, Uruguay.

The workshop aimed at promoting the exchange of experiences between the members of the NTFCs to identify best practices and possible areas of collaboration and providing an opportunity to share national experiences regarding the digitalization of business processes, risk management of express shipments, the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) implementation monitoring, cooperation with donors, and the participation of the private sector.

The WCO led the discussions on performance measurement and trade digitization, assessment of the TFA implementation, and risk management for e-commerce consignments, highlighting the relevant WCO instruments and tools. Over 60 participants from 18 WTO members in Latin America gathered best practices and experiences and enhanced their capacities to monitor and evaluate national trade facilitation reforms.

Some of the main strengths identified in the region are a high level of political will and the development of implementation roadmaps. The principal challenges concern the lack of strategic planning and impact measurement of the facilitation initiatives, as well as the need to enhance border agency cooperation.

The World Customs Organization and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) compliment the WTO's initiatives and appreciate further joint endeavours towards fostering trade facilitation in the Latin American Region.

For more information on the GTFP, please contact [email protected]