From 23-27 July, the National Customs Service of Bolivia (ANB) worked in tandem with a team of visiting experts from the WCO. The main objective of the visit was to evaluate the measures being taken to implement the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and identify any further support needed for the effective and efficient implementation of the measures contained in the WTO TFA.

As part of the in-country evaluation, the WCO experts met the executive team of the Bolivian Customs administration, including its President, Mrs. Marlene Ardaya.  During the meeting, the President affirmed the commitment of that administration to the implementation of the WTO TFA with the support of the WCO, its tools and instruments.

The experts assessed the ongoing projects, relationships with other agencies and the private sector, integration of borders and the role of customs in carrying out the reforms required to comply with the provisions of the TFA.  Prior to the visit, the experts conducted a desktop analysis of the information pursuant to the implementation of the TFA, including prior assessments by the Customs Administration.

The ANB’s knowledge and expertise on the TFA, as well as the working processes and projects the administration is developing, must be acknowledged.  The ANB and the WCO are both highly motivated to continue working together to ensure the successful implementation of the TFA, as both understand the benefits as implementation progresses.