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WCO supports Chile in the establishment of its National Committee on Trade Facilitation

23 November 2016

At the invitation of Mr. Juan Araya, Director General of Chile Customs and Vice-Chair for the WCO Americas and Caribbean Region, WCO Deputy Secretary General Sergio Mujica participated in the “Dialogue for the establishment of the National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF)”, along with all border agencies and public services with competence in the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The Dialogue was held in Santiago on 14 November 2016.

Mr. Mujica delivered a keynote speech presenting the WCO strategy to support consistent and effective implementation of the TFA, and also highlighted the Mercator Programme. He explained in detail the WCO Guidance on NCTFs, launched in March 2016, and the key role that Customs should play to ensure a successful implementation of the TFA. The participants expressed high appreciation for the support provided by the WCO.

After the Dialogue, Mr. Mujica held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Alejandro Micco, Vice-Minister of Finance. The main topics discussed were the latest developments regarding the WCO Strategic Plan recently approved by the Council, the key role of Customs to support implementation of the TFA, as well as the strategic projects Chile is currently working on to further enhance trade facilitation, such as Single Window and Authorized Economic Operator.

During his mission to Chile, the Deputy Secretary General also travelled to Valparaiso to hold meetings with Director General Araya, with the management team of Chile Customs and with the International Affairs Department. The main topics discussed were the various initiatives the Chilean Administration is currently carrying out to continue its modernization process, as well as the work programme being developed in its capacity as Vice-Chair for the Americas and Caribbean Region, including the implementation of the Regional Strategic Plan approved in April 2016 at the Regional Meeting held in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

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Photo:

WCO Deputy Secretary General Sergio Mujica and Director General of Chile Customs Juan Araya.