The CIAT International Cooperation Manager, Isaac Gonzalo Arias Esteban, participated in the Seminar on “Experiences and Implications of Customs Unions”, held in Guatemala City on March 1 and 2 and sponsored by the Technical Assistance Regional Center of Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic (CAPTAC-DR) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The seminar was mainly intended for the Central American and Caribbean countries and its objective was to identify good practices and strategic actions for arriving at a consolidated customs union in Central America. There was an active discussion of the European, South American and Central American integrations efforts.

Other topics discussed dealt with the control of transfer pricing, fiscal and economic implications of customs unions and the challenges and experiences of Latin America on the subject of tax harmonization and regional integration.

In this regard, Mr. Arias noted the importance of strengthening and adapting the tax administrations of the Central American and Caribbean countries to face the challenges of the integration process. He added that CIAT is available to assist the tax administrations of the member countries requesting it, in such key aspects as human resources training, adaptation of the structure and key processes design, implementation of international cooperation instruments and management tools, among others.

During the event, CIAT held conversations with SIECA, IDB and CAPTAC-DR, to identify areas of common interest where these organizations may provide coordinated cooperation to the Central American and Caribbean  tax administrations.

The event was extremely successful due to the quality of the speakers and the great interest shown by the participants who generated fruitful discussions in relation to aspects not yet defined in the Central American integration process, identifying errors incurred in the past and determining possible courses of action based on successful experiences in other regions.