Improving the Border Agency Cooperation
Among the OIC Member States for Facilitating Trade
32
Under the HLED,36 both countries have launched cargo pre-inspection pilots at Laredo, Texas
International Airport and at the Mesa de Otay, Baja California customs facilities. With this,
most of the shipments will be inspected only once in the exporting country, thus reducing the
number of inspections, resulting in less waiting time and reduced costs.37 During 2016, HLED
has the priority to continue with the implementation of single cargo manifests in the rail, air
and maritime modes of transportation and initiate the development and implementation of the
truck single manifest (currently they have two cargo pre-inspection pilots and soon a third will
be launched), as well as work towards the mutual recognition of commercial and federal
driver’s licences and commercial truck inspection standards.38
Agricultural products and food safety
In June 2015, the Mexican Secretariat of Agriculture, through the National Health Service, Food
Safety and Quality and the US Department of Agriculture signed a letter of intent to formalise
cooperation for developing mutually compatible electronic certification systems for plants and
animals. This arrangement aims to provide increased compliance for the import and export of
agricultural products and enhance food safety and bilateral trade.39
Risk management and information sharing
The 21st Century Border Management Joint Declaration establishes several areas for
collaboration and coordination in risk management: (i) joint assessments of threats,
development of a common understanding of the operating environment, and joint
identification of geographical areas of focus for law enforcement operations; and (ii) the
development of complementary risk management strategies aimed at separating high-risk and
low-risk shipments and individuals40.
Infrastructure development
Equipment and tools: the Merida Initiative has donated different equipment with the aim of
facilitating work in the borders, such as the detection of illict trade goods. This equipment
includes: (i) scanners, X-ray machines and other non-intrusive inspection equipment that will
enhance the Mexican government’s ability to detect illicit goods at internal checkpoints and
ports of entry; and (ii) nearly 400 dogs trained in the detection of narcotics, weapons,
explosives, ammunition, currency and human remains to the federal police, the Office of the
Attorney General and customs41.
Public works infrastructure: both countries also have joint investment in infrastructure. For
example, the West Rail Bypass Bridge at Brownsville-Matamoros between Texas and
36 (accessed 5 June 2016)
37 www.usembassy-mexico.gov/pdf/fronteriza-eng.pdf (accessed 1 July 2016)
38 White House (2016)
economic-dialogue
39 www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/02/25/joint-statement-2016-us-mexico-high-level-economic-dialogue (accessed 1
July 2016)
4
(accessed 2 August 2016)
4 July 2016)