In order to expedite intraregional trade it is necessary for customs offices dealing with cargo freight, to be open all hours, just as immigration customs offices are.
A study commissioned by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Central America (Fecamco) concluded that there are 87 barriers to trade in the region, one of the major ones being operations of the systems at customs offices at borders, followed by bureaucratic requirements and lack of adequate infrastructure.
Salvadoran Customs offices have increased charges for procedures at night or at weekends, from $6.86 to $315.24.
According to representatives from business and industry, this measure taken by the Salvadoran government, threatens to undermine the productive chain and business in the country.
"The discomfort arises because the Ministry of Finance through the Directorate General of Customs, promoted Executive Agreement number 763, published in the Official Journal on 29 April, which details charges of $259.33 per hour for extraordinary services (those between 4:00 and 6:00 pm), when previous charges were $3.43 ", reported Elsalvador.com .
A new customs office to be inaugurated in March 2014 will save commercial cargo 140 miles of travel to Puerto Limon in Costa Rica.
The president of the Superior Council of Private Enterprise (Cosep), Joseph Adam Aguerri has asked for "strengthening and securing of the new border crossing" in order to promote trade.
According to Aguerri, the opening of the office called Santa Pancha, "will have a good very positive impact on our commercial loads, on the cargo passing through Nicaragua to Puerto Limón".
Several organizations are working on a management plan for roads and trade and in the border area of Paso Canoas.
Extending the customs buildings, demarcation of public roads, relocation of small businesses located at present on the sidewalks and the possible construction of a sewerage system are some of the actions included in the project.
A project by the Inter-American Development Bank on possible improvements to be made in the area is being examined by authorities in Costa Rica and Panama.
The modernization of the border agencies is essential in order to achieve export goals and consolidate the Customs Union.
According to the vice-minister for trade, Fernando Ocampo, the government needs to spend $40 million, explaining that, "we can't be competitive when customs process that could take minutes instead take hours".
Prensa Libre reports a statement from the viceminister: "it's not for me to say where this money should come from since this is for the Treasury to decide. However, what I can say is improvements are urgently needed in order to provide a good service".