In the past 70 years, the customs sector has marked a significant progress to fulfil tasks assigned by the State, facilitating import-export operations, reducing customs clearance time, and making companies more dynamic in an integrating economic environment. Vietnam Business Forum Magazine has an interview with Mr Nguyen Ngoc Tuc, General Director of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, ahead of the Lunar New Year - Year of Money in 2016. Le Hien reports.
What was the most memorable event for the customs sector in 2015?
In 2015, the most notable event of the customs service was Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s press to start the National Single Window (NSW) and technically connect to the ASEAN Single Window (ASW). Accordingly, in addition to six already-connected ministries, the NSW connected with three other ministries, namely the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Information and Communications, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Besides, Vietnam, with the four countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, was successful in technical connections to the ASW. This will be a memorable event of the customs industry as information technology-powered connectivity facilitates Vietnamese and ASEAN companies in import and export of goods, especially when the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) was formally established. This connectivity is not only technology, but it is also regarded as a soft momentum to develop member economies.
Operating the automated system and starting connection to the NSW and ASW were important milestones in the process of reforming, renovating and modernising the customs sector with the highest goal of facilitating trade and investment in the region and the world. How were successes achieved?
In 2015, the deployment of the NSW and the ASW achieved tremendous and ground-breaking results. Besides, after more than one year of operation, the VNACCS/VCIS automatic customs clearance system also brought in marked effects and practical benefits for exporters, importers and customs authorities. To attain these results in operating the VNACCS/VCIS automated customs clearance system and connecting the NSW and the ASW, the Government and the Ministry of Finance firmly directed the customs sector to seriously embark on the immediate connection to the NSW and the ASW. Besides, as a standing body of the National Steering Committee, the General Department of Vietnam Customs cooperated with relevant ministries and agencies to review, evaluate and modify processes and plans to streamline export and import documents and procedures for enterprises after connecting to the ASW and the NSW.
The department successfully connected with ministries as scheduled. The first ministries to be connected were the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Transport; the next to be connected were the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Health; and the third stage of connection included the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Moreover, this success was attributed to the ongoing efforts of all the staff of the General Department of Customs, regardless of their positions, to reform and improve quality and work efficiency.
Finally, the current result of customs reform and modernisation came from the support and companionship of the business community across the country in receiving new cooperation and support policies to fulfil assigned tasks.
Trade and investment facilitation will enable companies to export and import more easily, but some will utilise this advantage for profiteering. What will the customs service do to overcome this in 2016?
We will create favourable conditions for exporters and importers to contribute to the State Budget. But, we must also have measures to prevent acts of commercial fraud, trafficking in prohibited goods and fake goods for illegal profit. Hence, in 2016, the General Department of Customs will focus on implementing its solutions and directives and resolutions of the Party, the State, the Government, the National Steering Committee 389, National Steering Committee 138/CP, and the Ministry of Finance on strengthening the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeiting.
Accordingly, the General Department of Customs will concentrate on raising personnel quality in customs control, modernising equipment, effectively monitor online system, and strictly control border gates, border crossings, sea and air transport. The General Department will intensify customs supervision and management over goods export and import like managing temporarily imported goods for re-export, restricting behaviours of cross-border smuggling. Then, the General Department will concentrate on carrying out post-clearance checks and instructing enterprises of customs laws and regulations. The final key task is to ultimately improve the ethics of customs officials, develop human resources for new task requirements, maintain good administrative discipline, prevent negative expressions, and enhance the sense of responsibility among customs officers in performing official duties.
What are the imprints of the Vietnamese customs service 70 years of development (September 10, 1945-2015)?
In 70 years of construction and development, the Vietnamese customs sector has left deep impressions on many fields, particularly export and import facilitation, national economic investment and development, customs reform and modernisation, prevention of smuggling and trade fraud, formation of an equitable environment of law enforcement, and establishment of modern and professional customs force. Without doubt, the impression of the 70-year development of the customs sector is its ongoing efforts for economic integration and construction of professional, transparent and effective customs of Vietnam.
With the goal of building a modern Vietnamese customs, complete and transparent policy institutions, simple and favourable customs procedures, and international standards, the General Department of Customs has coordinated with many relevant ministries and agencies, including the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), to survey and assess business satisfaction in customs operations. Through these surveys, we are very glad to know that the business community has positive remarks on customs officers and customs profession. Their satisfaction shows our more professional and efficient service.
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