Colombia gets help modernizing trade practices

The project will promote streamlined customs processes and sound implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.    Colombia’s National Directorate of Taxes and Customs (DIAN) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (GATF) to advance a major customs modernization project to boost international trade and implement the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement, according to a GATF press release.
   GATF is a not-for-profit outfit that joins businesses and governments to identify opportunities to improve trade facilitation, such as reducing border delays and removing unnecessary red tape associated with trade processes.
   Colombia’s project will see the establishment of a new center for trade facilitation and good practices managed by DIAN, which will issue advance rulings on classification, valuation and origin of goods before they arrive at borders, the press release said.
   The center initially will focus on the automotive industry, an important economic sector for Colombia, and it will house a team with specialized knowledge and understanding of vehicle assembly companies and exporters, GATF said.
   The project’s working group brings together DIAN officials and automotive industry representatives, including car importers and assemblers, who have been “instrumental” in developing the blueprint for the center, according to the press release.
   Colombia is working to implement “far-reaching” trade facilitation reforms, and neighboring countries are showing interest in the GATF project’s development and implementation, as the project team is optimistic that it will serve as an example of best practice in trade facilitation, the press release said.
   “The new center is an example of a modern customs system where both the government and the private sector benefit, increasing government revenues and efficiency and making it simpler, faster and more cost-effective to do business,” GATF Deputy Director Jose Raul Perales said in a statement. “We are excited to share what we are learning through this project with neighboring countries, many of whom face similar challenges in their border processes.”