The figure of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) has established itself as an essential tool for ensuring security in international trade, and was the central theme at the VI edition of the AEO GT 2024 International Congress.
Globally promoted by the World Customs Organization (WCO), this certification promotes transparency, efficiency and security in the logistics chain, fundamental aspects for exporting companies and the economic development of the countries that adopt it.
In Guatemala, the Superintendencia de Administración Tributaria (SAT), the entity in charge of granting the certification, registers more than 110 companies certified under the AEO standard. These companies are examples of competitiveness and security in the customs area, becoming benchmarks within their sectors.
Photo: ATraCSI
Experts such as Byron Gaitán, General Manager of the Santo Tomás de Castilla Free Trade and Industry Zone (ZOLIC), Patricia López of C807, Markus Hackel of Almacenadora Integrada S.A., and Francisco López, customs agent, participated in the discussion “The AEO figure: facilitating trade”. Moderated by Dr. Fredy Palma, General Director of ZDEEP Puerta del Istmo, the discussion concluded on the need to increase the number of companies, both public and private, certified under the AEO standard. This would improve customs agility and strengthen the country's competitiveness.
ZOLIC has been an Authorized Economic Operator since 2019, which has allowed its industrial and commercial users to benefit from more agile customs procedures and greater security controls in the logistics chain.
“For Guatemala, having more AEO certified companies is crucial to strengthen the confidence of international trading partners,” said Byron Gaitan.
Commitment to Secure Trade: Public-Private Partnership
During the Congress, several key figures from Guatemala's business and government sectors highlighted the importance of AEO certification. Francisco Ralda, vice-president of AGEXPORT, reiterated the organization's support for this certification, considering it essential for maintaining international competitiveness. Raúl Bouscayrol, president of the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala (CIG), stressed the importance of public-private collaboration in positioning Guatemala as a regional benchmark.
Marco Livio Díaz, Superintendent of SAT, stressed that transparency and security in the logistics chain are pillars for the country's competitiveness, while Gabriela García, Minister of Economy, emphasized that the AEO not only improves the business climate, but also offers specific benefits to companies that comply with international standards.
Photo: ATraCSI
The event was attended by Ian Saunders, Secretary General of the WCO, who highlighted the positive impact of the AEO program on the global supply chain, creating a secure and transparent environment. Saunders also highlighted the crucial role that MSMEs can play in international trade, and underlined the WCO's belief in the power of the AEO program to boost the development of these small and medium-sized enterprises.
An important component of this year's OAS WG Congress was the participation of the Agricultural Trade and Climate-Smart Innovations Project (ATraCSI), which promotes the implementation of international measures and risk assessment with respect to sanitary and phytosanitary regulations, implementing measures under the current Trade Facilitation Agreements (TFAs) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and assisting in strengthening climate-smart agriculture through the development and transfer of agricultural technologies that focus on the effective, sustainable and environmentally friendly use of agricultural resources for high-value horticulture value chains in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
AEO certification is an indispensable tool for guaranteeing safe, efficient and competitive international trade, supported by a joint effort between the public and private sectors in Guatemala.