WCO and Guatemala conduct initial working session on the Revised Kyoto Convention

By Mayora IP

The first virtual working session of the WCO’s technical assistance on accession to the WCO Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) took place on May 19, 2020, via videoconference. This meeting initiated the WCO’s support that will be provided to the Customs Administration of Guatemala, within the framework of the light-touch interventions of the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP), which has the long-term goal of strengthening Guatemala’s capacity to address international trade challenges through accession and compliance with RKC.

The welcoming remarks were given by the Director General of the Customs Administration of Guatemala, Mr. W. Ovalle Ramírez, who welcomed the support provided by the GTFP and expressed Guatemala´s commitment to the activities to be carried out within the framework of this assistance. The introduction was followed by a short presentation of the GTFP, including the requirements and approach of light-touch interventions by the Programme Manager, Mrs. María Ortiz.

Subsequently, the WCO Accredited Expert, Mr. Rosaldo Trevisán from Brazil, thoroughly explained the working methodology, with emphasis on the initial first steps, consisting of self-assessment work and remote gap-analysis. Based on the information gathered, the WCO Experts will issue a series of recommendations for future action. Following this, Guatemala’s Unit for International Treaties and Agreements provided details on the progress made regarding the technical documents related to the process of RKC accession and the participants finalized this initial meeting by agreeing on upcoming activities and next steps.

As soon as travel restrictions are lifted, a formal meeting will take place in Guatemala with representatives from Switzerland, the Customs Administration of Guatemala and, the WCO.