Customs Workshop Promotes Int’l Trade

Workshop participants

On July 16, the U.S. Embassy, through its Office of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in coordination with the Government of El Salvador’s Competitiveness Initiative, launched the workshop “Developing a Competitive Advantage in the Current Market: a Public-Private Dialogue in Support of Trade Facilitation.”

The two-day workshop is part of the U.S. contribution to improving El Salvador’s investment climate under the Partnership for Growth. Approximately 150 representatives from both the Salvadoran government and the private sector gathered to discuss best practices for managing customs and border issues, how to implement a safe and effective system of risk, the design of paperless customs processes, international practices for the registration of cosmetics and other topics focused on processes and programs that contribute to improved international trade.

During her opening remarks, Ambassador Mari Carman Aponte noted that “trade is the basis of economic development. It is for this reason that the U.S. government is supporting El Salvador and investing resources in the promotion of better trade facilitation, reinforcing the progress that has already been made.”

Following the workshop, a delegation consisting of representatives from the Salvadorian government and several private sector leaders will visit the Port of Miami and the Port of the Everglades, where they will speak with U.S. customs officials and witness firsthand the current best practices being employed in two U.S. ports.