Chat
Between May 2 and 4, the Director General of Uruguay Customs, Mr. Enrique Canon, participated in the ‘Authorized Economic Operator International Conference and Assembly’, held in Baku, Azerbaijan. In his capacity of Chairperson of the Council of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Mr. Enrique Canon delivered the opening speech at this significant meeting.
The event was coorganized by the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan Republic and the International Association of Customs and Logistics Authorized Economic Operators (AEO). The activity was held within the framework of the WCO theme for this year: ‘A secure business environment for economic development.’
Several panels with expert speakers on AEO were held. The meeting was officially opened by Mr. Canon, who also presented in the session ‘Building a secure supply chain: Perspective of AEO Government Programs.’ In this session, he was joined by Customs Authorities from countries such as Bolivia, China, India and Georgia, who discussed the following questions: are the AEO Programs helping to develop a secure supply and logistic chain? How should be AEO Programs enhanced and what aspects should be enhanced?
The meeting concluded with the signing of an Action Plan between the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan Republic and the International Association of Customs and Logistics Authorized Economic Operators
AEO Program
AEO Programs have become a key element in the development of a model of modern Customs Administrations that need to keep up to date with the evolution of global trade. There are currently 42 existing AEO Programs, 48 Mutual Recognition Agreements signed and 44 Agreements under negotiation.
One of the main benefits of the regional Authorized Economic Operator Program is the facilitation of legitimate regional trade, by ensuring the security of regional trade, the exchange of information between Customs Administrations, simplifying Customs procedures and streamlining the clearance of goods.
Uruguay has set itself as a challenge for 2018 the promotion of Mutual Recognition Agreements of AEO Programs across Mercosur. In order to achieve this, the agreement between two large blocks such as Mercosur and the European Union is proposed. The achievement of a Regional MRA of the Americas will generate regional competitiveness.
