The challenges faced by Customs in Central America to perform their functions are similar in form, although different in impact and level of occurrence. It is therefore necessary to undertake coordinated initiatives at the regional level that allow for enhanced effectiveness both in prevention and mitigation of Customs risks, taking into account the provisions of the Trade Facilitation Agreement of the World Trade Organization (the WTO TFA) and the standards and good practices of the World Customs Organization (WCO).

Recognizing the aspects above, and in the framework of the Central American economic integration process, the Directors General of Customs from Central America requested support to define a Regional Strategy for Comprehensive Risk Management in Customs.

Under the auspices of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Regional Technical Assistance Center for Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic (CAPTAC-DR) organized two workshops aiming at developing a Risk Management Strategy for Central America. The first workshop took place in San Jose, Costa Rica from 31st July to 2nd August, 2017 with the participation of 28 officers of the area of Risk Management and representatives of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Secretariat of Central American Economic Integration System (SIECA), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Mexican Customs and Argentinian Customs, and the WCO. The second workshop took place in Guatemala City, Guatemala, from 4 to 6 December 2017 in continuation of previous discussions.

The outcomes of the events will be submitted to the Directors General of Customs in the first quarter of 2018. The Risk Management Strategy for Central America will result from a partnership and collaboration of international organizations aiming to secure and facilitate international trade. The WCO, as the voice of the international Customs community, strongly supports this initiative.