Security, trust and competitiveness are the three pillars on which Guatemala is building a new logistics narrative. on which Guatemala is building a new logistics narrative. Y the Authorized Economic Operator Qualification Workshop OAS-GT, organized by the Free Zone of Industry and Commerce “Santo Tomás de Castilla”, ZOLIC ZOLIC, the Superintendencia de Administración Tributaria SAT and the ATraCSI project. ATraCSI project, was a clear example of this joint effort that has evolved into a comprehensive model that combines security, efficiency, trust, and traceability in international trade and traceability in international trade and in the operations carried out by each of the actors in the logistics chain. the actors in the logistics chain.
A country strategy, not just an empowerment
Becoming an AEO is to be part of a national and comprehensive vision that seeks a safer and more attractive vision that seeks a safer and more attractive Guatemala for investment, with more streamlined customs with more agile customs processes and operations guaranteed against any risk and delay. and delays.
Photos: Courtesy SAT
Magister Víctor Pérez, head of SAT's Trade Facilitation and AEO Unit, clearly explained and AEO Unit of SAT, explained it clearly: “The OAS is a model of country management that promotes transparency and efficiency in international trade. international trade”. Guatemala is already a reference in the region with more than 115 certified actors, from importers and exporters to warehouses. from importers and exporters to bonded warehouses and economic zones such as ZOLIC and ZDEEP Zona Libre warehouses and Economic Zones such as ZOLIC and ZDEEP Zona Libre Puerta del Istmo.
In Guatemala, the AEO-TG program is voluntary and free of charge.
It recognizes companies as “safe and reliable” as long as they comply with strict
strict international standards established by the World Customs Organization (WCO).
Customs Organization (WCO). “It is a strategic alliance between the public and private sectors, where both work to ensure the
sector, where both work to ensure the legitimate flow of goods without sacrificing necessary
without sacrificing necessary controls, commented Víctor
Perez.
The AEO GT is based on four essential pillars that seek to strengthen security and facilitate international trade, Customs Enterprise, secure logistics chain, risk management and mutual recognition.
The first pillar, Customs-Business,
promotes a relationship of trust and collaboration between the SAT and certified companies
companies, recognizing them as strategic partners in the protection of the logistics chain.
logistic chain. The second pillar, the Secure Logistics Chain, establishes measures
to guarantee the integrity of goods from origin to destination, minimizing risks and ensuring
destination, minimizing risks and ensuring traceability at each stage of the process.
process.
The third pillar, Risk Management, involves the implementation of systems to identify, assess and implementation of systems to identify, evaluate and mitigate possible threats to business operations and mitigate possible threats in commercial operations, both on the part of the companies and the customs by both companies and the customs administration. Finally, the fourth pillar, Mutual Recognition Mutual Recognition, seeks to establish international agreements that will allow Guatemalan AEO companies to be Guatemalan AEO companies to be recognized as reliable in other jurisdictions, thus facilitating cross-border trade and strengthening the country's competitiveness in the global arena. country's competitiveness in the global arena.
In addition, the AEO program has the collaboration of other ministries, such as the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Health. ministries, such as the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Agriculture, especially in the coordination of inspections of the Ministry of Agriculture, especially in coordinating inspections of merchandise in primary or customs in the coordination of inspections of merchandise in primary or customs operation zones, contributing to the reduction of clearance of clearance times to be cleared.
Companies qualified as Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) have access to benefits that improve their competitiveness, such as
(AEO) have access to benefits that improve their competitiveness, such as expedited customs clearance, less inspections
customs clearance, fewer inspections, priority in controls and personalized assistance.
and personalized assistance. They also receive preferential attention in contingencies and
international recognition, which facilitates their operations and strengthens their reputation in
their reputation in global trade.
All of this not only facilitates your logistics operations, but also enhances your reputation and opens up new business opportunities
but also enhances your reputation and opens up new business opportunities globally.
global level.
The process to become an AEO-TG is structured in four major stages
in four main stages
Throughout the process, SAT provides free technical support, guiding the applicant step-by-step to ensure that the step-by-step guidance to ensure that the applicant meets the required standards. the required standards are met. This management model not only improves the competitiveness of companies, but also strengthens the national logistics ecosystem as a whole. ecosystem as a whole.
Chevron, a success story
Photos: Courtesy SAT
During the workshop, Francisco Galindo, Operations Manager of Chevron Guatemala, one of ZOLIC's users at its Fiscal Predio of Chevron Guatemala, one of the users of ZOLIC at its Fiscal Premises, shared how being OAS transformed his operation: “We were the first OAS OASI fuel company in Guatemala. We went from 75 to more than 400 service stations stations in part thanks to the confidence that this certification conveys”, he assured.
Chevron implemented a management system that ensures traceability, continuous training, compliance with audits and standards.
traceability, ongoing training, audit compliance, and safety standards, from the refinery to the end customer.
standards, from the refinery to the end customer. The result: a
more efficient and secure supply chain, with more satisfied customers,
based on an integrated process.
Experience panel: when theory becomes practice practice
One of the most enriching moments of the workshop was the panel on moderated by Héctor Ruano of SAT, with the participation of representatives from ZOLIC, the ZDEEP Zona Libre representatives of ZOLIC, ZDEEP Zona Libre Puerta del Istmo and Combex-Im. and Combex-Im. From different perspectives, all agreed on a central idea. central idea: the AEO program not only optimizes processes, it also generates trust, accelerates speeding up procedures and translating security into tangible savings for companies. companies.
Photos: Courtesy SAT
Fredy Palma, of Zona Libre Puerta del Istmo, shared.
clear figures: “Our users save up to US $$ 7,000 per month thanks to streamlined processes.
7,000 per month thanks to streamlined processes.”
Jorge Gómez, from Combex-Im, highlighted how AEO qualification allowed them to transform the flow of goods into an air terminal.
allowed them to transform the flow of goods in an air terminal that was traditionally
traditionally constrained by complex bureaucratic processes.
The case of ZOLIC is particularly significant. It was the first first public institution in Guatemala to obtain AEO certification, a strategic decision that not only reflects internal order and transparency, but also marks the beginning of a new stage for the country's public logistics.
“Nobody thought a government institution could do it,” recalled Erick Tobar, director of ZOLIC.
could do it,“ recalled Erick Tobar, director of ZOLIC, ”but we did. Thanks to
Thanks to the OAS accreditation, the institution advanced towards additional certifications such as BASC, consolidating an organizational culture based on good
as BASC, consolidating an organizational culture based on best practices and international standards.
international standards.
Being an Authorized Economic Operator is a strategic tool to attract to attract foreign investment, generate confidence in the international markets and position international markets and position Guatemala as a modern, safe and competitive logistics hub. and competitive logistics hub.
The presence and support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
AGRICULTURE THROUGH THE ATRACSI PROJECT AS ORGANIZER OF THE WORKSHOP. The presence and support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the ATraCSI project as organizer of the workshop is proof of the value that this model represents in
the value that this model represents in international trade and how Guatemala is being projected as a safe
Guatemala is being projected as a safe country for investment attraction and development.
investment attraction and development.
This workshop was a firm step towards the future that Guatemala aspires to: a country where trade flows without friction and where
Guatemala aspires to: a country where trade flows without friction, and where public and private actors work side by side
public and private actors work hand in hand for safer, more efficient and integrated logistics,
efficient and integrated logistics.
Today, Guatemala is not only complying with international standards, it is helping to create them. international standards, it is helping to create them. And this commitment has the active presence of authorities from ZOLIC's Management, Deputy Management and Board of Directors, reaffirming the institutional and Board of Directors of ZOLIC, reaffirming the institutional conviction that logistical security and trade facilitation are key pillars of our and trade facilitation are key pillars for the country's economic development. economic development of the country