Lima, Dec. 17, 2009.- The Andean Community Member Countries yesterday approved Decision 728 that will enable them, through mutual assistance and cooperation, to prevent and fight administrative violations, smuggling and other customs offenses within the Community territory in a coordinated and efficient manner.   

That Decision, which updates and perfects the existing Community regulation on Mutual Assistance and Cooperation among the Customs Administrations of the CAN Member Countries, was approved by the Andean Community Commission in a meeting held yesterday via videoconference.   

New provisions have been added through the Decision, like those that will make it possible to implement an electronic data network with a view to the subsequent development of a Community database and to provide collaboration assistance at the request of any customs administration. 

Provisions have been incorporated, as well, with regard to the preeminence of electronic requests for the exchange of information among the Customs Administrations of the CAN Member Countries and it has been decided to create the Andean Committee on Mutual Assistance and Cooperation.    

Several provisions of the Multilateral Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance among National Customs Services of Latin America, Spain and Portugal (Mexico Agreement), in which the Andean Community Member Countries are participants, were consulted in updating the Community Decision.