Member-only webinars are crafted and presented by AAFA to address member needs and provide exclusive insights around industry developments. AAFA member-only webinars are closed-press.
Description:
The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) entered into force this past February. When fully implemented, the TFA will reduce border delays, eliminate burdens, and eliminated outdated customs procedures that today cost the trading community billions of dollars. Nowhere will this change be more pronounced than in Central America, which will see full TFA implementation as an important ingredient in its speed to market competitive advantage with the United States. In tandem with the TFA, Central America is also implementing a regional Trade Facilitation Strategy - with support from the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA) - which will magnify these gains even more.
Join AAFA on August 9 as we hear from SIECA to learn what’s being done to make sure the TFA is implemented fully and regionally so that Central America can reach its full potential.
Key topics will include:
- Recent developments and next steps for Central American TFA implementation;
- Ways to provide input; and
- The ability to provide input on specific information requests now.
Speaker:
Luis Eduardo Barrueto
Academic Coordinator
Center of Studies on Economic Integration
Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA)
Luis is the academic coordinator at the Center of Studies on Economic Integration of the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA). In this role, he contributes to research and training activities to support Central America's economic integration and secure the region's transformation through trade. He trained as a journalist in Guatemala's Francisco Marroquin University (UFM). He later obtained an MA in Journalism, Media, and Globalization, with emphasis on Business and Finance Journalism, from Aarhus University (Denmark) and City University London (UK).
Moderator:
Steve Lamar
Executive Vice President
AAFA
As Executive Vice President, and as liaison to AAFA’s Government Contracts Committee, AAFA’s Government Relations Committee, and AAFA’s Brand Protection Council, Stephen E. Lamar is responsible for the design and execution of AAFA lobbying strategies on a series of issues covering government procurement, counterfeiting/intellectual property rights, international trade, market access, customs, labor, environment, and product safety. In these roles, Steve also advises AAFA member companies on legislation and regulatory policies affecting the clothing and footwear industries. In addition, Steve serves as the liaison to AAFA’s Legwear Committee. Prior to AAFA, Steve was a trade analyst at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Before joining the Commerce Department, Steve served for two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the southern African country of Botswana. Steve is President of the Washington International Trade Association. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Colgate University and a Master of Arts Degree in International Affairs (with a concentration on African politics and international trade) from George Washington University.