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REGIONAL CUSTOMS UNION MOVES CLOSER TO FRUITION.

Article Excerpt
Regional integration came closer to completion on March 10, when the Guatemala-El Salvador border was thrown open to the free flow of people and goods. The event followed an agreement between the two countries on Feb. 26 at a meeting of the Sistema de Integracion Centroamericana (SICA) in Guatemala.

The reduction in paperwork and legendary bizarre procedures will translate into a reduction in time wasted for people moving goods across the Ciudad Pedro de Alvarado-La Hachadora border crossing from four hours to about 15 minutes. Average costs, exclusive of bribes, will shrink from US$60 to about US$9. Noncommercial travelers on foot or in cars will see their time to cross reduced to five minutes.

Guatemala is the largest intraregional exporter, having moved US$916.1 million last year. El Salvador is the largest importer, having bought US$864.1 million of its neighbor's goods during the period. The region as a whole exports about US$3 billion intraregionally and imports a nearly equal amount.

Guatemala accounts for the largest share of the Central American market with 30.5%, and El Salvador is third with 25.6%. Costa Rica, with 25.9%, is second.

In ceremonies at the border marking the occasion, speeches by both presidents emphasized...

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