Trade facilitation

Trade facilitation

Trade facilitation refers to the simplification, standardization and harmonization of procedures and associated information flows required to move goods from seller to buyer and to make payment. In simple terms, trade facilitation should streamline customs procedures in order to reduce the time and cost to trade -- essentially, cut the “red tape” at the border. Trade facilitation is a vehicle for economic growth, increased trade competitiveness, deeper regional integration and a better insertion of developing countries into the regional and global value chains.

Activities:

News:

21 March 2025 | Press Release

Authorities and Experts Call for Joint Efforts to Align Trade Policies with Sustainability Goals

During a high-level conference held at ECLAC, trade and sustainability thought leaders from across Latin America came together to advocate for a strengthened international trade system and better alignment of global commerce with the world community’s commitment to sustainable development. A number of speakers emphasized the value of cooperation on ideas to remake the trade system to be fit for purpose, especially in times of crisis such as the present. 

23 October 2024 | Press Release

The Value of Goods Exports from Latin America and the Caribbean Will Grow by 4% in 2024: New Report by ECLAC

In the latest edition of the document entitled “International Trade Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean,” the United Nations regional commission also indicates that services exports will increase at a double-digit rate for the fourth straight year.

16 October 2024 | News

ECLAC Will Present New Projections on Latin America and the Caribbean’s Foreign Trade in 2024

The United Nations regional organization’s Executive Secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, will lead a press conference to unveil the annual report on this topic on Wednesday, October 23 in Santiago, Chile.

5 July 2024 | News

Exports Between MERCOSUR Countries Showed Resilience Amid a Fall in the Rest of the Bloc’s Sales Abroad

A new edition of the bloc’s Foreign Trade Bulletin, prepared by ECLAC, indicates that the challenges for 2024 will be linked to low dynamism in global demand and the downward trend in prices, amid persistently high interest rates.

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División Comercio internacional e integración

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