Customs authorities in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) can leverage new technologies and innovations to boost their digital transformation and streamline foreign trade logistics. This, in turn, can help improve competitiveness and bolster the countries´ economic growth. The pandemic highlighted the importance of trade and … [Read more...] about The pandemic as an opportunity for digital transformation in customs
José Martín García Sanjinés
José Martín is a consultant at the Trade and Investment Division of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Previously, he was the Representative in Washington, DC, for the Ministry of Finance of Mexico and the Mexican Tax Administration Service for more than 26 years. José Martín was one of the negotiators of customs provisions, trade facilitation, certification and verification of origin, and supervision of foreign trade operations of the recently concluded Mexico-United States-Canada Agreement (T-MEC).
The resilience and transformation of Customs authorities during COVID-19
Over the past few months, Customs authorities in Latin America and the Caribbean have had to work hard and think outside the box in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tons of personal protective equipment, including masks, gowns, medical devices, medicines, and disinfectant products, as well as food and other necessities, have passed through these agencies. Those shipments … [Read more...] about The resilience and transformation of Customs authorities during COVID-19
How Customs can protect us from the coronavirus
The coronavirus crisis has shone a spotlight on how challenging it is for countries to protect the health of the population. To contain the pandemic, governments have taken unprecedented measures such as closing borders or shutting off large areas of their territories. These measures can cause major disruptions to global supply chains and transportation systems. According to … [Read more...] about How Customs can protect us from the coronavirus
7 key new features of the new North American Trade Agreement
The new North American free trade agreement, now titled the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), is expected to enter into force in the coming months. Together, the three countries constitute the largest economic integration and trading bloc in the Western Hemisphere. The new agreement contains numerous provisions covering goods, technologies, and other advances in … [Read more...] about 7 key new features of the new North American Trade Agreement