Decree No. 10,373/2020 was published in the Official Gazette today, creating the National Committee on Trade Facilitation within the Chamber of Foreign Trade (Camex). Members of the Presidency, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy, and the Ministry of Agriculture will form the Committee. Moreover, its presidency will be performed jointly by the Ministry of Economy’s Secretariat of Foreign Trade and the Brazilian Federal Revenue’s General Undersecretary. The two shall also comprise the Committee’s Executive Secretariat.
The Committee will be an advisory and executive body to implement trade facilitation policies and guidelines established by CAMEX’s Trade Strategy Council and the Executive Management Committee. Its powers include promoting the coordination and harmony iai between Brazilian government agencies, regarding import and export policies, aiming at the implementation of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement. The Committee will be able to formulate proposals and recommendations to improve and simplify procedures and formalities related to foreign trade, besides monitoring its implementation and carrying out studies and initiatives on the subject.
The Committee may establish temporary technical groups to carry out specific tasks, define guidelines for activities and evaluate performance. Habitual meetings will be held quarterly, with the possibility of extraordinary ones. The Committee will also have a Cooperation Subcommittee and Local Trade Facilitation Committees.
Trade facilitation is often highlighted as an essential point to reduce bureaucracy and stimulate foreign trade. Furthermore, the creation of the committee is an important step to include Brazil in the best practices, concerning these issues.
