Facilitators

Juan Juncal is a highly experienced technology executive and project manager with a strong background in digital transformation, IT management, and international trade. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Information Systems and a Master's in Technology Management (MBA in MoT) from Universidad ORT Uruguay, along with studies in Foreign Trade from the National Chamber of Commerce and Services of Uruguay, and a PMI-ACP certification.

With over 14 years of experience at the Single Window for Foreign Trade of Uruguay (VUCE), Juan currently serves as the IT Manager. He has been part of VUCE since its inception in 2012, taking an active role in the design, development, and implementation of the platform and its underlying systems. He has been instrumental in the design and implementation of large-scale service platforms, managing development teams, and overseeing cloud infrastructure to modernize customs and trade procedures. Beyond technology delivery, he contributes to defining the organization's strategic objectives, building and leading its technical team, and introducing agile methodologies to develop innovative solutions. He initially joined the VUCE project as a Senior Consultant for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Juan represents Uruguay in the Inter-American Network of Single Windows, where he has participated as a speaker and moderator in initiatives on trade facilitation and regional interoperability. He has extensive experience in cross-border interoperability with other Single Windows, leading international integration projects such as the Digital Certificate of Origin (COD) with the Pacific Alliance on behalf of VUCE Uruguay, and taking part in the COD MERCOSUR integration alongside international organizations. He has also provided advisory support to other Single Windows across the region, sharing Uruguay's implementation experience in platform design, governance, and interoperability standards.

Highlighted Activities
IT Manager at VUCE Uruguay, leading the technological development and digital transformation of the country's Single Window.
Former IDB (BID) Senior Consultant for the implementation of the Uruguayan Single Window for Foreign Trade.
Uruguay's representative in the Inter-American Network of Single Windows, as speaker and moderator on trade facilitation and regional interoperability.
Cross-border interoperability with other Single Windows, leading the Digital Certificate of Origin (COD) with the Pacific Alliance and participating in COD MERCOSUR.
Advisory support to other Single Windows in the region on platform design, governance, and interoperability.
Expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation, and Project Management applied to international trade ecosystems.

Argentina Focal Point
Omar Fabián Ballesteros Morales is an Argentine professional with a solid background in international trade, food safety, and sustainability. A veterinarian by training, he holds a Master’s degree in International Trade and International Relations, as well as a specialisation in Environmental Project Management and Corporate Social Responsibility. His profile stands out due to a unique combination of technical expertise in fishery products and regulatory compliance, along with language skills in English, Portuguese, Japanese, and Spanish, enabling him to operate effectively in multilateral and multicultural environments.

For over a decade, he served as Head of the Directorate of Safety of Fishery and Aquaculture Products at SENASA, leading authorisations, inspection missions, and operational training programmes. He has worked as an international consultant for organisations such as FAO, IDB, and the governments of countries including Guatemala, Panama, and Barbados, participating in the design and implementation of traceability systems, inspections, and quality control mechanisms in line with the requirements of markets such as the European Union, the United States, China, and Russia. His approach combines technical rigour, regulatory knowledge, and a strong commitment to enhancing competitiveness and food safety.

Highlighted Activities
Programme to guarantee the legality and health of fishery products from the Argentine Republic with the implementation of traceability to facilitate international trade (GS1/SENASA)

General-Coordinator of Trade Facilitation at Secretariat for Foreign Trade, Brazil's Single Window Manager and Single Window Expert at IMF and United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation (UN/CEFACT).

He currently coordinates the review of foreign trade regulations, the development of Brazil's Single Window and the secretariat of the Brazil's National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC).

Enrika is co-founder and CEO of CustomsClear, the Customs and Trade Compliance Knowledge Platform www.customsclear.net, which uses an innovative approach to building customs expertise online.

She is the editor of two journals: the monthly e-journal "Customs Law for Practitioners", which is published since 2012 in Lithuania and Customs Compliance & Risk Management (CCRM) journal for practitioners in Europe, published since 2020.

Enrika is also the founding member and director of Lithuanian Customs Practitioners Association www.lcpa.lt/en.

Previously, she was co-owner and director of a customs brokerage company UAB "Muita", and was also working in the manufacturing and logistics industries, in the customs and trade compliance field.

Memberships: Customs Consultative Committee (Lithuania), EFA Europäisches Forum für Aussenwirtschaft, Verbrauchsteuern und Zoll E.V. (Germany), Aussenwirtschaftsrunde e.V. (Germany).

Highlighted Publications
Knowledge management: interesting practices from brokers (WCO News Magazine)
Controlling dual-use goods in a transit country: Lithuania’s experience (WCO News Magazine)
Some thoughts on current important issues (WCO News Magazine)
Harmonization of procedures is still work in progress (WCO News Magazine)

Camila Romero is the Responsible of Operations and Communications embedded to the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) of Paraguay from IESC’s T-FAST Project. In this role, she serves as a liaison between government officials, private sector representatives, and various donor partners, facilitating the implementation of trade facilitation measures in Paraguay. She contributes to the overall objective of the T-FAST project, which is to simplify, modernize, and harmonize the processes for the export, import, and transit of agricultural products in the country.

She possesses wide experience in fostering public-private dialogue, policy-making, and managing international cooperation projects from both governmental and non-governmental perspectives. Camila has collaborated with numerous trade facilitation projects, supported by the EU, UNCTAD, ITC, USDA, WB, ALADI, CEPAL, and others.

Camila is also a former staff member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay, where she managed the Technical Secretariat of the NTFC. She has been invited to speak at numerous international forums on trade facilitation.

Head of the Negotiating Office for Trade Integration at the Autoridad Nacional de Aduanas - Expert Accredited by the World Customs Organization (WCO) as an Operational Technical Advisor.

Mr. Rizwan Mahmood is working as Additional Collector in Customs Service of Pakistan. He joined the Central Superior Services in 2003 after qualifying for the nationwide competitive examination. He has worked in various capacities at the operational and policy levels. His academic record with a diverse education orientation testifies to his insatiable curiosity to learn new concepts.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree with Distinction in Physics and Mathematics, and ‘Master of Business Administration’ in Marketing from University of the Punjab under a university scholarship. He qualified MSc in Public Policy and Administration from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) under the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program in 2011. He completed ‘Master of Customs Administration’ with Distinction from Charles Sturt University, with three Executive Dean’s Awards and won the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies Award in 2019 under the Australia Awards Scholarship.

He was also selected for Australia Awards Professional Development Opportunity 2021 and completed a ‘Leadership Course’ from The University of Sydney in April 2022. In addition, he has completed a wide range of short courses relating to Customs and international trade from different international institutions such as WCO, WTO, ITC, IMF, ICMPD, UNCTAD, UNODC, UNESCAP, and US Department of Homeland Security. He has also worked as a consultant for the UNECE and the WCO. 

Highlighted Publications
Cross-border electronic commerce: Challenges for Customs administrations and the way forward (CSJ)
Digital Customs: Progressive Engagement (BR)
Non-tariff measures: their purpose and effect on trade (CCRM)
Tariff classification toolkit (CCRM)
Learning the lingua franca of international trade (CCRM)

Highlighted Activities
WCO accredited Regional Expert in the area of Customs Operational Practices for Enforcement and Seizures (COPES)
Worked as a consultant with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) for integration of Pakistan Customs computerised system named WeBOC with eTIR international system.
Worked as a consultant with the World Customs Organization (WCO) for developing 20 training modules for prosecutors of Pakistan Customs.

Coordinator: Agriculture, Fisheries and Agri Food TCI Working Group.

Rodrigo Robles is a highly experienced veterinary with a strong background in animal production and international trade. Holding a veterinary degree from the University of Chile, he has furthered his expertise through postgraduate studies at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza, specializing in animal production and traceability of meat products. 

His extensive career has been marked by key roles in international organizations, including UN/CEFACT, FAO, WTO, ICC, CCFIC_CODEX, IICA, OECD, ALADI, EFSA, APEC, and Pacific Alliance. 

As the former coordinator of ePhyto/SAG at the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture, he has been instrumental in driving the adoption of electronic certification systems in the region. 

Rodrigo has a proven track record of leadership in international working groups and has served as a consultant and speaker on electronic certification at numerous international forums.

Highlighted Publications
White Paper on gaps in aligning digitization with transit procedures (UN/CEFACT)
Key Trade Documents and Data Elements (ICC)
ePhyto Contingency Plan (IICA)

 
Dr. Edna Ramirez-Robles has 27 years of experience as international consultant in +60 jurisdictions worldwide. Her expertise stands on legal and policy issues on international trade and investment. She is the CEO and Founder of GoBizGlobal. She has worked with 20+ NTFCs and carried out Technical Assistance Projects financed by USAID, EU, WTO, ICO, IsDB, TradeMark South Africa; UEMOA, IDB, UNDP, Global Alliance, CIPE and UNCTAD. She worked at the Secretariats of international organizations such as: UNCTAD (Trade Facilitation), WTO (Legal Affairs), and IDB (trade and integration).

Recently, she has advised multinationals regarding the legal requirements for the importation of more than 650 products into the Mexican market. Moreover, she is an expert on Trade Regulations for Goods and Services and Public Services for various countries (Equatorial Guinea, Mexico, Paraguay and El Salvador) for the World Bank B-READY project (that substitutes the Doing Business).

Furthermore, she is the Dean of the International Studies Faculty and a tenure track Professor of International Trade Law at the University of Guadalajara campus Puerto Vallarta (CUC). She has lectured at American University, and worked at Georgetown University with Prof. John H. Jackson (for the JIEL) and at the Graduate Institute of International Studies with Prof. Joost Pauwelyn.

Dr. Edna Ramirez-Robles graduated as a lawyer from University of Guadalajara, Mexico. Her PhD and LLM are from the Universidad Complutense from Madrid (Ortega y Gasset Institute) on European Studies, specialized on International Trade Law. Moreover, she has authored more than 60 publications.


Highlighted Publications
Building Effective Public Private Sector Partnerships in National Trade Facilitation Committees (CIPE)
The Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility, a bridge between the international community and the developing world for implementing the TFA (UNCTAD)
Trade Facilitation of the 2012 DTIS of The Gambia (EIF)
Trade Facilitation Measures in Regional Trade Agreements (UNCTAD)

Highlighted Activities
Consultant (World Bank, UE, USAID, WTO, IADB, IDB, UEMOA, Enhanced Integrated Framework, CIPE)

Nogaye is a Programme Coordinator at the African Alliance for Ecommerce, a pan-African non-profit Organization dedicated to the promotion of digital technology through the implementation of performant single Window for External Trade. She capitalises more than 12 years of experience in the digital field with a particular focus on dematerialization and trade facilitation.

She has worked on many projects on Trade facilitation across Africa supported by UN/ECA, WAEMU, African Development Bank especially on the dematerialization of Trade documents. Currently, she is UNCEFACT Rapporteur for Africa since 2023 and Project lead on a Toolbox for enhancing digital and sustainable trade facilitation along transit trade and transport corridors.

Project Manager at Costa Rica's Single Window for Foreign Trade, she leads projects focused on the digitalization and improvement of foreign trade processes, working closely with diferents public entities. Key Single Window projects include the implementation of the World Customs Organization's Data Model and the IPPC's E-phyto scheme. 

Highlighted Activities
Advisor on Foreign Trade Procedures (PROCOMER)
Project Manager for Trade Facilitation Initiatives (PROCOMER Single Window)

Neelima is the Single Window Domain Coordinator at UN/CEFACT. With over 21 years of experience in the IT industry, she is specialize in guiding organizations through transformative digital journeys that enhance business growth and operational efficiency.

Throughout her career, she has successfully managed a variety of projects, from local to national implementations, demonstrating an ability to navigate complex initiatives with precision and foresight.

Known for her collaborative leadership style, he interacts effectively with high-level stakeholders such as ministers, judges and senior executives, promoting innovation and teamwork to achieve impactful results in dynamic business environments.

She thrives on innovative problem-solving, particularly in deploying cutting-edge technology solutions tailored to government agencies and businesses.

She has a deep understanding of the dynamics of international trade and procurement processes, leading successful tenders funded by reputable organizations such as the World Bank, IDB, ADB, TradeMark Africa, and others.

Highlighted Publications
Single window legal framework for cross-border trade : 10 case studies (UN/ESCAP & UNNExT)
White Paper on Single Window Assessment Methodology (UN/CEFACT)
White Paper Guidelines for Establishing a Regional Single Window (UN/CEFACT)

UN/CEFACT Former Chair, Trade Finance Project Leader and Transport & Logistics Domain Coordinator.

Highlighted Publications
White Paper on gaps in aligning digitization with transit procedures (UN/CEFACT)
White Paper on Transfer of MLETR – Compliant Titles (UN/CEFACT)
White Paper on Digital Product Conformity Certificate Exchange (UN/CEFACT)
White Paper on eDATA Verifiable Credentials for Cross Border Trade (UN/CEFACT)
White Paper on Integrated Track and Trace for Multimodal Transportation (UN/CEFACT)
White Paper on Smart Containers (UN/CEFACT)
White Paper on Data Pipeline Concept for Improving Data Quality in the Supply Chain (UN/CEFACT)
White Paper on Reference Data Model (UN/CEFACT)
White Paper on Paperless Trade (UN/CEFACT)

Joaquín González is the Single Window Domain Coordinator at UN/CEFACT, WCO Technical and Operational Advisers (TOAs) on Single Window and Mexican Customs Brokers contract Logistics Director at Gamas Group managing international trade operations for more than 700 clients and 70,000 operations per year.

Highlighted Publications
White Paper on Single Window Assessment Methodology (UN/CEFACT)
White Paper Guidelines for Establishing a Regional Single Window (UN/CEFACT)
l uso potencial de cadenas de bloques (blockchain) en el comercio internacional y su facilitación (UN/ECLAC)

Coordinator: Single Window TCI Working Goup.

Software engineer, specialized in the areas of Foreign Trade, Customs and Single Windows. Expert recognized by the WCO and accredited by the UN/CEFACT.

Alejandro has developed his experience in the implementation of the World Customs Organization Data Model in Latin America, being director and founder of the consulting firm Customs-hub. The company is devoted to spreading the usage and supporting the implementation of the WCO Data Model, supporting the processes of adoption of said model in the private sector and state governments of countries such as Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mauritius, Pakistan among others.

He actively participates as a private sector expert in the WCO Data Model Projects Team and collaborated in the evolution of version 4.0 of this data standard. He participates in UN/CEFACT as an expert in the domain of Single Windows, having written several technical documents on the subject.

Highlighted Publications
White Paper on Single Window Assessment Methodology (UN/CEFACT)
The WCO Data Model: guidance for efficient implementation (WCO News Magazine)
White Paper Guidelines for Establishing a Regional Single Window (UN/CEFACT)
Single Window Repository - Uruguay Case

Regional Rapporteur for Latin America and The Caribbean, UN/CEFACT.

Eduardo N. B. Leite is a Brazilian lawyer, consultant, and recognized expert in Customs Law, International Logistics, and Trade Facilitation. He is the founder and Managing Partner of ENBLaw Firm, a boutique law firm specializing in foreign trade compliance and strategic legal advisory.

With over two decades of practical experience, he possesses a comprehensive understanding of the global supply chain ecosystem, having worked directly with container terminals, customs brokers, carriers, and freight forwarders' associations. He is an active member of the Customs and Trade Law Committee of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB/SP).

A leading voice in the modernization of global trade, Eduardo serves as the UN/CEFACT Regional Rapporteur for Latin America and the Caribbean. Expanding his impact on international standards and digitalization, he is a Member of the Digital Trade Readiness Working Group at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and has contributed as a Researcher for the World Customs Organization (WCO). Furthermore, he actively participates in the ISO/ABNT Technical Committee on Governance of Organizations. Eduardo is a frequent columnist for the Customs Compliance & Risk Management (CCRM) journal.

Highlighted Publications
What does “trade facilitation” really mean? (CCRM Journal)
Due diligence: highlighting the challenges for SMEs (WCO News Magazine)
White Paper on Globally Unique Identifiers in Supply Chains (UN/CEFACT)
Compliance in Foreign Trade: Navigating the Latin American Landscape with Integrity and Efficiency (Aduana News)