Overview
The Central American Digital Trade Platform (PDCC) is an IT platform with regional interoperability integrating information and processes from customs, migration, animal and plant health management and single windows for foreign trade in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.
The EU has supported the design and IT development of the platform. The platform was released in December 2023 and is a milestone in Central American integration in terms of trade facilitation. More than 10,000 Central American exporting companies are projected to benefit from the platform thanks to interoperability between IT systems across the region, simplification of processes (automation, harmonisation, mutual recognition), standardisation of databases and sharing of big data. It is estimated that it will reduce trade costs by 3.2%. The port of Algeciras in Spain, which is one of the most important points of entry for EU and Central America imports/exports, is currently exploring how to connect its platforms to take full advantage of the EU – Central America Association Agreement and increase opportunities for EU businesses in the sub-region.
