Provision

Heading/

Description

Previously notified definitive date for implementation

New definitive date for implementation requested

Article 8

Border Agency Cooperation

1 September 2024

1 September 2030

Reason for extension

The reason for the extension stems in the difficulty that Paraguay is experiencing in fully implementing a measure aimed at coordinating procedures at border crossings with a view to facilitating cross-border trade. This difficulty is due in part to the need to strengthen cooperation with neighbouring countries with whom it shares a common border. It is essential to commit to mutually agreed terms of collaboration with these countries in order to comply with the requirements under paragraph 8.2 of the Agreement. However, insufficient progress has been made in this area.

A gap has also been identified in the physical and technological infrastructure of the national agencies operating at the borders. To address this shortcoming, increased capacity building and technical assistance, which may include financial resources, is needed.

Despite these obstacles, it is important to highlight the internal progress that Paraguay has made through the National Trade Facilitation Committee to promote cooperation between the national border agencies. This includes examples of successful initiatives to establish public-private partnerships to improve existing infrastructure. In turn, a number of schemes have been implemented that facilitate cross-border trade, such as the full deployment of electronic phytosanitary certificates (ePhyto) with Argentina, Chile and the United States — with a pilot project currently underway with Bolivia — the development of electronic animal health certificates with Chile and Uruguay, and the introduction of electronic procedures for imports under special regimes. The Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUE/VUI) and the Integrated Phytosanitary Control between the National Plant and Seed Quality and Health Service (SENAVE) (Paraguay) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) (Brazil) have also been introduced at the Ciudad del Este/Foz de Iguaçu border. Progress has also been made in the implementation of the Authorized Economic Operator programme (AEO), and electronic processing has been introduced for the inspection and issuance of animal health certificates by species and for the inspection and shipment of forestry products. At the same time, the website for advance consultations, the digital platform for laboratories and the Paraguay National Network of Food Testing Laboratories (RENLAP) are currently being developed.

Lastly, it is worth mentioning that the implementation of the Article has been further delayed because of the COVID-19 health emergency.