On the occasion of the 23rd Meeting of ASEAN Directors General of Customs, held in Da Lat City from June 2-6, 2014, Vietnam Business Forum has an interview with Mr Nguyen Ngoc Tuc, Director General of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, on this event. Le Hien reports.
Could you tell us about the main contents of this meeting?
The 23rd Meeting of ASEAN Directors General of Customs focuses on the following key issues: Reviewing results and contents approved at the ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting and the Summit; discussing and approving reports of related Committees and Working Groups like the ASEAN Single Window Steering Committee (ASWSC), the ASEAN Customs Coordinating Committee (CCC), the ASEAN Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation Working Group (CPTFWG), the Customs Enforcement and Compliance Working Group (CECWG), and the Customs Capacity Building Working Group (CCBWG).
Besides, the meeting reviewed ASEAN customs development strategic plans in the 2011-2015 period. On that basis, ASEAN customs directors general outlined and built a new agenda for the 2016-2020 period, and hosted consultative meetings with dialogue partners and the private sector. Specifically, they held the eighth Consultative Meeting with the World Customs Organisation (WCO), the 12th Consultative Meeting with the Chinese Customs Authority, the 10th Consultative Meeting with the South Korea Customs Service, the 16th Consultative Meeting with the Japan Customs Authority, the 17th Consultative Meeting with the US Business Council (US ABC), and the 12th Consultative Meeting with the Conference of Asia Pacific Express Carriers (CAPEC).
The meeting also discussed and approved working agendas of its committees and working groups, as well as the schedule and venue for the upcoming 24th Meeting of ASEAN Directors General of Customs.
Why did the General Department of Vietnam Customs choose the theme "New Customs Agenda for ASEAN Community"?
The ASEAN Customs has achieved significant accomplishments toward the goal of building the ASEAN Economic Community, with the first step of signing the ASEAN Customs Agreement to create the regulatory framework for the deployment of the ASEAN customs transit system (ACTS), establish the mechanism for the National Single Window for Customs in all ASEAN countries, and build regulatory and technical framework for the formation of the ASEAN Single Window. Besides these achievements, the ASEAN Customs has identified challenges stemming from major changes in customs operating environments, increased connectivity and integration inside ASEAN, as well as between ASEAN and dialogue partners by enforcing a series of bilateral and regional economic, investment and free trade agreements.
The 2014-2015 period is considered to be an important transition time for ASEAN cooperation, integration and connectivity to a new phase - the ASEAN Economic Community. This phase requires the construction and deployment of a new Customs Agenda suitable to the ASEAN context and commitment. Hence, Vietnam Customs opted for the theme of the 23rd Meeting of Directors General of Customs as the "New Customs Agenda for ASEAN Community" for ASEAN customs authorities to discuss and propose directions, action plans and working programmes for the 2016-2020 period.
I believe this conference will adopt action plans to not only meet objective requirements of trade, but also the intrinsic practical needs for each member country. Thus, the cooperation of ASEAN Customs is significant not only to the region, but also to each member state.
What is the significance of this meeting as ASEAN is facing a lot of political, economic and social difficulties and challenges?
This is the third time the General Department of Vietnam Customs hosted the Meeting of ASEAN Directors General of Customs and we see this as not only an important duty of a member state, but also an honour and an expression of trust of ASEAN member states in Vietnam. Particularly, this is the first time the Secretary General of the World Customs Organisation and the ASEAN Secretary General attended this important event.
After more than 40 years of existence and development, ASEAN has today become an interlinked entity with a clear voice in the international arena. Customs authorities of ASEAN member countries have joined together in that context. Amid the growing trend of economic globalisation and trade liberalisation, customs plays a very important role in facilitating and promoting trade exchanges and ensuring community security and protection. In the 2010-2014 period, the ASEAN Customs made important progress with concrete results in implementing the ASEAN Strategic Plan of Customs Development (SPCD). Over 90 percent of SPCD contents have been completed. In the context of dynamic regional development and integration, the ASEAN Customs has proved its consistent and continuous efforts for modernisation and improvement of ASEAN competitiveness.
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