The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program has established itself as an essential tool for ensuring security in international trade, and it was the central theme of the 6th AEO GT 2024 International Congress.
Promoted globally by the World Customs Organization (WCO), this certification fosters transparency, efficiency, and security in the logistics chain—key factors for exporting companies and the economic development of the countries that adopt it.
In Guatemala, the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT), the agency responsible for granting certification, has more than 110 companies certified under the AEO standard. These companies exemplify competitiveness and security in the customs sector, making them leaders in their respective industries.
Photo: ATraCSI
During the roundtable discussion titled “The OAS Role: Facilitating Trade,” experts participated, including Byron Gaitán, General Manager of the Santo Tomás de Castilla Free Trade and Industrial Zone (ZOLIC); Patricia López of C807; Markus Hackel of Almacenadora Integrada S.A., and Francisco López, a customs broker. Moderated by Dr. Fredy Palma, Director General of ZDEEP Puerta del Istmo, the discussion concluded that there is a need to increase the number of companies—both public and private—certified under the AEO standard. This would improve customs efficiency and strengthen the country’s competitiveness.
ZOLIC has been an Authorized Economic Operator since 2019, which has allowed its industrial and commercial customers to benefit from streamlined customs procedures and enhanced security controls throughout the supply chain.
“For Guatemala, having more AEO-certified companies is crucial to strengthening the confidence of international trading partners,” said Byron Gaitán.
Commitment to Safe Commerce: Public-Private Partnership
During the conference, 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 Guatemalan Chamber of Industry (CIG), emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration in positioning Guatemala as a regional leader.
Marco Livio Díaz, superintendent of the SAT, stressed that transparency and security in the logistics chain are pillars of the country’s competitiveness, while Gabriela García, Minister of Economy, emphasized that the OEA 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 logistics chain by creating a secure and transparent environment. Saunders also highlighted the crucial role that MSMEs can play in international trade and underscored the WCO’s conviction in the power of the AEO program to drive the development of these small and medium-sized enterprises.
An important highlight of this edition of the OAS GT Congress was the participation of the Agricultural Trade and Climate-Smart Innovations Project (ATraCSI), which promotes the implementation of international measures and risk assessments regarding sanitary and phytosanitary regulations, implements measures under the current Trade Facilitation Agreements (TFA) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and to help strengthen climate-smart agriculture through the development and transfer of agricultural technologies that focus on the effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly use of agricultural resources, with a focus on high-value horticultural value chains in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
AEO certification is presented as an indispensable tool for ensuring safe, efficient, and competitive international trade, supported by a joint effort between the public and private sectors in Guatemala.