Dr Vu Tien Loc, President of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), believes that a mobilisation is needed to help the government improve business environment and administrative reform to attain advanced administrative standards.
Dr Vu Tien Loc made the statement at the conference reviewing the programme on business environment and national competitiveness on taxation and customs sponsored by VCCI and Vietnam Fatherland Front on March 7, 2016 in Hanoi.
Positive reforms
Dr Vu Tien Loc affirmed that in the recent past, the government has taken positive reforms, especially Resolution 19. For the first time, the Resolution has set forth important decisions on improving the business environment and administrative reform, and recommended Vietnam National Front and its members such as VCCI to inspect government activities with objective evaluation. In particular, the government has rated itself by the contentment of the people.
VCCI President said that with direct guidance from President of Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Nguyen Thien Nhan, the VFF has set up an Inspection Committee on administrative reform and assigned tasks to its members making the inspection effective and highly appreciated by related agencies. “It helps Vietnam Fatherland Front integrate deeper in the evaluation and inspection of administrative reform,” Mr Loc added.
To improve the performance, VCCI President proposed that VFF should mobilize the entire people to join the government in improving the business environment and administrative reform to attain advanced standard. “In order to mobilize the contribution of the entire people, a “Dien Hong- Conference of Mentors” should be held for administrative reform. In addition to the efforts of government agencies, the mobilization of the entire people will find more effective measures,” Dr Vu Tien Loc asserted.
VCCI President also proposed that in the process of inspection, good models should be highlighted to ensure successful implementation of the inspection and successes of e-government should be also promoted.
Giving businesses more power
According to general observation, the inspection of business environment and national competitiveness in taxation and customs sectors has attained the plan, contributing to the administrative reform in the sectors and highly evaluated by business community. It has mobilised the role of members of Vietnam Fatherland Front, given power to businesses and established effective links between the State and business community.
However, there are still certain challenges. By the end of 2015, financial problems made impossible the approval of budget and the programme had to look for other sources. Furthermore, taxation and customs require information and knowledge that members of the programme do not have.
Ms Pham Thu Huong, Deputy Head of Democracy & Law Section of Vietnam Fatherland Front, said that in 2016, the programme will focus on remarks of businesses, cooperatives, associations on the implementation of State policy regarding taxation and customs. Thereupon, recommendations will be forwarded to related authorities to improve the business environment and national competitiveness in accordance with Resolution 19/NQ-CP.
Accordingly, it will simplify and facilitate administrative reform saving time and money for businesses. The inspection will focus on 13 provinces and cities directly related to the central government (Hanoi, Hai Phong, HCMC, Binh Duong, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Dong Nai, Vinh Phuc, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Khanh Hoa, Da Nang, Can Tho, Bac Ninh) with emphasis on online declaration and taxation and customs activities. The inspection will be effected from July to October 2016.
At the conference, representatives of Cooperatives Federation, Taxation Office, Customs Office and Businesses Association have made contributions to the implementation of 2016 programme and the programme next year with greater efforts on inspection and administrative reform. Meanwhile, efforts should also be made to improve access to credits, land clearing, etc.
Speaking at the conference, VFF President Nguyen Thien Nhan pointed out that the inspection programme on business environment and national competitiveness is the second biggest programme of the Front. In 2015, the Front and its members have selected six localities (Hanoi, Lao Cai, Da Nang, Quang Nam HCMC, An Giang) for intensive activities. Consequently, the programme will expand its activities in 2016 for Phase 2 in 13 units with the highest rates of taxation in Vietnam.
Mr Nguyen Thien Nhan proposed that in 2016, 13 units should assess the complacency of businesses on taxation and customs, and recommend units of excellent performance elevating Vietnam to 4th ranking among ASEAN members. At the same time, improvements should be made in administrative reform and training courses for further success.
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Vietnamese
