NEW DELHI, Sept. 16 -- India is looking to expand its trusted-trader programme beyond traditional customs facilitation as it enters the next decade of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) framework, with technology, MSME access and closer coordination across regulators emerging as priorities.

Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) chairman Vivek Chaturvedi on Wednesday outlined five priorities for the programme's next phase: technology-driven facilitation, greater inclusion of MSMEs, seamless inter-agency coordination, expanded Mutual Recognition Arrangements with global partners, and greater synergy across indirect tax verticals.

The priorities were announced at an event marking 10 years of the AEO programme, which gives ...