Thanks for the nice introduction, Siobhan.
Minister Pedro Barquero.
Director Fausto Calix.
Ladies and gentlemen.
Good morning.
It is a pleasure to open this workshop.
I want to thank the Commercial Law Development Program of the U.S. Department of Commerce for organizing it.
This workshop is the second in a three-part series. It focuses on advance customs resolutions.
This series is part of the U.S.-Central America Trade Facilitation Program that began in 2017.
This program offers technical assistance to the governments of El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.
Through activities like this workshop, we support the implementation of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement or TFA.
Honduras signed this agreement in 2016.
It contains provisions that are key to expanding trade and attracting foreign investment.
For example, the TFA includes provisions on the issuance of advance rulings in a transparent manner.
Today we will hear from experts from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and the United States.
These experts will talk about the implementation of customs valuation methods.
They will also discuss each country’s experience working with the private sector and streamlining the movement of goods across borders.
Workshops like this are key to learning and gaining support, as each country manages its own process.
Before closing, I want to thank and acknowledge the support of Minister of Economic Development Pedro Barquero, and the Director of Customs Fausto Calix.
The leadership and commitment of Minister Barquero and Director Calix demonstrates the support of the Castro Administration to improve trade.
My hope is that the government of Honduras and our partners in El Salvador and Guatemala continue to leverage the support of this community of technical experts.
And that the end result is an increase in regional trade.
Thank you very much.
