TORONTO: CBSA President Luc Portelance signed a new Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) with the Republic of Chile. The agreement provides a legal framework for the two countries to share customs information to prevent, investigate and combat customs offences. The signing took place on the margins of the Regional Conference of Customs Directors General (RCCDG) meeting in Puerto Natales, Chile.
While in Puerto Natales, CBSA President Portelance also shared Canada’s best practices as part of an RCCDG panel discussion on the World Customs Organization’s 2015 theme of Co-ordinated Border Management – an inclusive approach for connecting stakeholders.
The CBSA continues to evolve to keep pace with international trade and migration trends, emerging threats and new technologies. To meet the trade and border security demands of the 21st century, cooperation and collaboration among international partners is essential, both multilaterally and on a bilateral basis. The CBSA’s active participation in multilateral fora, such as the RCCDG, enables the Agency to increase alignment with its international partners and advance joint initiatives.
As a result of the 1997 Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA), bilateral merchandise trade has more than tripled, growing to about $2.6 billion in 2013. Amendments to the Canada-Chile FTA in September 2013 included a financial services chapter and updated chapters on government procurement, dispute settlement and custom procedures.
“Canada is recognized as a leader in customs cooperation and global border management. We value our international partnerships, particularly our engagement in the Americas and Caribbean region. I am pleased that the Canada Border Services Agency is sharing best practices with counterparts at the Regional Conference of Customs Directors General, to improve coordination on border issues in our hemisphere.”
“The Canada Border Services Agency welcomes the opportunity to work as a region to leverage each other’s efforts and explore areas for enhanced cooperation. I am also honoured to further our bilateral engagement with Chile, this year’s host of the RCCDG, by signing a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement on behalf of the Government of Canada.”
