In a significant step toward regional collaboration, a delegation of Bolivian customs officials recently embarked on a knowledge-sharing mission to Peru, seeking to learn from their neighbor's advanced practices in risk management and customs laboratory operations.
Cross-Border Knowledge Exchange
From September 20-22, Peru's National Customs Administration (SUNAT) hosted twelve Bolivian customs officials under the framework of the Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP), jointly implemented by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and Switzerland's State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The visit focused on sharing best practices in two critical areas of modern customs operations.
The Peruvian Customs Director warmly welcomed the delegation, facilitating intensive discussions about Peru's risk-based cargo selection mechanisms. Bolivian officials identified several opportunities to enhance their existing risk management procedures while gaining valuable insights into the challenges of improving detection protocols.
Building Sustainable Customs Infrastructure
The WCO emphasizes sustainability in its programs, considering peer-to-peer cooperation between beneficiary countries as a key strategy for ensuring lasting results. Both Bolivia and Peru were among the first four countries to benefit from GTFP when it launched in 2018. Today, the program supports fifteen nations in streamlining customs procedures, reducing trade costs, and improving efficiency.
Technical exchanges during the visit extended to laboratory management, testing technologies, and personnel training—laying groundwork for future collaboration. Customs laboratories serve as critical infrastructure for trade security, preventing counterfeit goods from entering markets while supporting enforcement actions against smuggling.
Risk Management as a Cornerstone
Modern customs operations increasingly rely on sophisticated risk management systems to allocate limited inspection resources effectively. By focusing on high-risk shipments, authorities can facilitate legitimate trade while maintaining security. Peru's experience in this area proved particularly valuable for the Bolivian delegation.
This bilateral cooperation represents a microcosm of broader South American efforts to enhance regional trade integration. As GTFP expands its reach, similar knowledge-sharing initiatives may emerge across the continent, fostering more open, efficient, and secure trading environments.
The successful conclusion of this exchange marks a milestone in Peru-Bolivia customs relations, with both parties committing to deeper collaboration that could stimulate economic growth across the region. Such international partnerships demonstrate how shared challenges in global trade can be addressed through cooperative learning and technical exchange.