Port of Spain (January 17, 2013) – The Association of Caribbean States, through the Directorate of Trade Development and External Economic Relations will convene its 1st  Meeting of the Working Group on Customs Facilitation on January 23, 2013 at its Headquarters in Port of Spain.  

The topic of customs facilitation has been selected as an area of interest due to the possibilities for growth and development it presents. It seeks to improve accessibility to markets by lowering transaction costs and simplifying procedures. Such initiatives can prove beneficial to both the business communities and governments.  With improved customs procedures and greater transparency, increased volumes of trade and efficiency in transactions can be attained. Given the great potential for intra-regional trade within the ACS, this is an area of high importance.

Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association and Panama Canal Authority are featured to make presentations on the role their organizations play in relation to the theme of Customs Facilitation. Following these presentations, discussions will center around how countries’ customs procedures may be simplified, and therefore work in tandem with each other across the Greater Caribbean region. The issue of improving access to these customs procedures, regulations and relevant documentation will also be addressed at this meeting.

The Directorate of Trade Development and External Economic Relations of the ACS led by Director Ariadna Perez has chosen to highlight Customs and the important role it plays in facilitating trade among Member States. Moreover, trade relations are essential in improving countries’ economic growth and acts as an indicator of regional cooperation and development.