USAID Regional Trade Facilitation and Border Management Project

OVERVIEW

USAID’S $17.5 million  Regional Trade Facilitation and Border Management Project strengthens the region’s trade capacity and competitiveness through increased regional integration and lower trade costs. The project helps reduce the cost of trade by optimizing border processes and improving border control systems and infrastructure.  

PRIORITIES 

USAID works with both national and regional institutions, including customs and ministries of economy, health, and agriculture in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras; the Central American Secretariat for Economic Integration (SIECA); and with the private sector. All the project’s activities support USAID’s overall efforts to facilitate economic growth in the three countries, thus creating job opportunities.

The project enhances the interconnectivity between trade agencies by upgrading Information Technology (IT) systems and providing technical assistance, trainings, and manuals to border management agencies to harmonize procedures and improve IT systems that are critical to effective border management.

USAID also helps expand intraregional trade and exports to international markets by providing support for sanitary registration procedures that meet international standards.

The project also strengthens the National Trade Facilitation Committees as well as the Authorized Economic Operator programs in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, to help expedite trade by reducing border crossing times.

By strengthening the regional economy, enhancing public and private sector capacities, simplifying trade processes, and developing computer systems that facilitate trade, the project seeks to generate opportunities for people to stay in their countries and thrive.