The first round of negotiations of the Second Semester of Customs Union ended last August 24 in Nicaragua having made significant progress.
From Diario de Central America:
The technical negotiators have concluded revision of the Central American Technical Regulation (RTCA) for labeling of distilled spirits and registration requirements for microbial pesticides for agricultural use, which have been passed on for resolution by the Council of Ministers of Economic Integration (Comieco). Negotiations will continue for the rest of subgroups via videoconferences and the necessary consultations made with stakeholders in each case.
Instead of being reduced, bureaucracy at the Central American borders is becoming increasingly burdensome, complicating and making intra regional trade more expensive.
Constant delays which increase transportation costs, lack of progress in the streamlining of customs procedures and a perceived stagnation of the customs and economic integration project are the most pressing problems observed by business associations in Central America.
The region's federation of chambers of commerce (Fecamco in Spanish) encourages governments to keep pushing for customs union.
A Fecamco press release states that in meetings held between October 31st and November 1st discussions centered on Central America's political and economic situation that led to a renewed call to the region's governments to consider important topics.
The meeting of technical groups from the countries of Central American Integration System (SICA) in El Salvador ended with significant advances
Progress was made in the preparation of some 15 rules of origin and the harmonization of tariffs for different products.
Deputy Minister of Economy of El Salvador, Mario Hernandes, told Reuters, "Decisions made in the technical rounds will be passed up to the technical and deputy ministers of Trade and Economy for approval."
The new Customs Law, which includes the Central American Customs Code, would be ready by July 2011.
The project, which is currently at the Parliament's Economics Committee, will also include Central American customs regulations and seek to reorganize the General Customs Department (DGA).
Wálmaro Gutiérrez, deputy chairman of the Committee, said the new legislation seeks to "match" service users with the DGA.
The European Union again noted its interest in an integrated Central America where there is a free flow of investments, goods and services.
The seventh round of negotiations of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Central America opened in Honduras with the explicit indication by Petros Mavromichalis, political negotiator of the EU that "regional integration remains a subject of great importance for us.