<h1>Global Customs Leaders Urge Cooperation, Automation, and Digital Integration at 11th ASEM for Smoother Trade.</h1> The Chairman of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation among international Customs and Tax Authorities to facilitate smooth cross-border trade. At the 11th Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Goa, attended by representatives from 44 countries and two international organizations, the focus was on automation, single window clearance, and risk management. The event highlighted the importance of information sharing among Indian tax departments and the establishment of Customs Clearance Facilitation Committees. The discussion included historical ASEM initiatives and the ongoing need for digital integration to reduce transaction costs and promote paperless trade.