Sri Lanka Customs launches CEO/AEO program

Finance Ministry Department of Trade and Investment Policies Director General K.A. Vimalenthirarajah

Sri Lanka Customs Director General Major General (Retd.) G. Vijitha Ravipriya

Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Secretary General and CEO Manjula de Silva

AEO Committee Secretary M.S.J. De Silva

Trade Ministry Secretary Badrani Jayawardena launches AEO website

• Customs Chief says initiative in line with WCO and WTO best practices ensures hassle-free business environment for the legitimate trading community
• Basilur Tea Exports, Ceylon Tobacco Company and Paranthan Chemicals Company were selected from over 30 applicants following a rigorous validation process by Authorised Economic Operator Committee, and awarded Compliant Economic Operator status

Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) last week launched the Compliant Economic Operator (CEO) and Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) initiative to ensure efficient facilitation of the import and export sector. 

The Chief Guest at the event was Finance Ministry Department of Trade and Investment Policies Director General K.A. Vimalenthirarajah. Trade Ministry Secretary Badrani Jayawardena was also present.

The CEO/AEO program is in line with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement aimed at securing and facilitating global trade by expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods by reducing the time and cost associated with cross-border transactions. 

Operators who meet the eligibility criteria published by Sri Lanka Customs, including demonstrating high legal and operational compliance and maintaining a high level of supply chain security, will benefit from additional trade facilitation measures such as rapid release, reduced documentation and data requirements, and fewer physical inspections. Any entity involved in the international supply chain that undertakes Customs related activity in Sri Lanka is eligible to apply for CEO/AEO status. 

The AEO program offers two tiers of certifications i.e., Compliant Economic Operator (CEO) for operators with high legal and operational compliance and Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) for operators who maintain high levels of supply chain security standards in addition to the CEO compliance requirements

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was the Strategic Event Partner of the launch ceremony. Under this Strategic Partnership, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will provide training for selected private sector companies, on fulfilling the criteria required in order to be eligible for the CEO/AEO program, as well as capacity building in order to implement the required changes.

Vimalenthirarajah hailed the launch of the CEO/AEO program as a landmark achievement in the context of Customs administration, and called upon all stakeholders to work together with the ultimate goal of ensuring that all companies eventually attain AEO status. “The CEO/AEO initiative is an important step towards enhancing the ease of doing business ranking and the economic environment in Sri Lanka,” he added.

Sri Lanka Customs Director General Major General (Retd.) G. Vijitha Ravipriya said: “As the Government authority which controls the movement of goods across Sri Lankan borders, we see this program as a wonderful opportunity to create a hassle-free business environment for the legitimate trading community.” He also assured program participants of the fullest support of SLC. 

AEO Committee Secretary M.S.J. De Silva said: “We are committed to recognising legitimate trade, and AEO status in that sense is the highest recognition on offer. If you are a stakeholder of Customs who is involved in the import-export trade and operates as a true trade partner contributing towards nation-building, you are the one we are looking for. Nothing will matter more than trust and compliance in vital areas of operation.”

Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Secretary General and CEO Manjula de Silva affirmed, “The CCC will extend its fullest support to SLC by coaching the private sector companies to fulfil the eligibility criteria necessary to join the program and benefit from the trade facilitation provided by AEO/CEO program. CCC will also promote this initiative amongst the private sector companies to become CEO/AEO operator of the Sri Lanka Customs.”

Following the launch of a pilot project in 2020, three companies, Basilur Tea Exports Ltd., Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC and Paranthan Chemicals Company Ltd., that were selected from over 30 applicants following a rigorous validation process by the AEO Committee, were awarded CEO status at the event by the Chief Guest. 

The AEO website, which facilitates a paperless and seamless end-to-end online application process for applicant economic operators, accessible at https://aeo.customs.gov.lk, was launched at the event by Trade Ministry Secretary Jayawardena.