Lars Karlsson: CapacityNow

This week we have delivered a AEO Validation Training WorkShop in Sao Paulo, Brazil. 

We have over the last three years together with Allianca Procomex – helped the Federal Revenue Agency of Brazil (Receita Federal) to design, develop and implement the new AEO programme of Brazil. The programme is since March this year fully operational for both AEO Compliance and AEO Security.

This week we delivered an interactive joint Customs-Private Sector AEO Validation training workshop on international standards and best practices. 

Two of the best AEO Validation Experts in the world, Pim Berkhuizen and Hans Visser – both working in my AEO Team – was in Sao Paulo to share their enormous experience from AEO Validation. 

It was a great event, especially having both AEO Validators from Customs and from the Private Sector in the same room working through a real case study. 

Brazil is using a system with possibilities for companies to request help from third party validators which made this workshop very valuable. 

It was a very good week in Brazil. 

This week I have spent in Sao Paulo Brazil – the biggest city in the world. At least according to most sources.

It is a fascinating city in so many ways. Sao Paulo is the business center of Brazil and is geographically close to the main port of Brazil, Santos. 

The people of Sao Paulo or SP as it is often called, are named Paulistas. 

Like any other of Brazil, football is a big part of the lives of the Paulistas. The main clubs are Corinthians, Palmeiras and Sao Paulo. 

In the same region another classic club also has its home, Santos. The club of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, or as he is known to world – Pele. Later Santos also fostered one of the biggest stars of football today, namely Neymar Jr. 

I like Sao Paulo. I have always liked cities with a pulse, movement and pace. Sao Paulo certainly has that. The only thing that might be a challenge is traffic, there is a reason for Sao Paulo being the city in the world with the highest number of helicopters and helicopter platforms.

People going to Brazil normally always visits the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro, go to the archtict designed capital Brasilia or travel to beaches up North in the region of Bahia. Unless you are there for business, then you will go to Sao Paulo. 

If you go to Brazil  for the first time I recommend you not to miss the biggest city in the world. It is worth it. 

This week I participated as Key Note Speaker at the inauguration of the AEO Brazil Customs-Private Sector Forum. 

For a compliance management partnership programme like an Authorized Economic Operator concept, it is essential to have a structured and well organized platform for dialogue between participating agencies and business about the programme. 

More than 100 representatives from Brazilian AEO companies participated in the meeting, which was a great success. 

The Under-Secretary of the Federal Revenue Authority, Mr. Ronaldo Medina, opend the meeting that was moderated by the Executive Secretary of Allianca Procomex, Mr. John Mein. 

I had the honor to speak and give advise on Customs-Business Partnership & Cooperation and sharing the international experience of AEO Consultative Forums. 

A representive from an AEO company stated that his company has saved 12-17 days in their goods flow through the new AEO Brazil processes. A fantastic result, a lot of saved costs and music for my ears. 

“We have saved 12-17 days in our goods flow through the new AEO Brazil processes and being an AEO company…”

This is exactly what happens when an AEO programme is designed, developed and implemented in the correct way in line with international best practices.