The General Department of Vietnam Customs under the Ministry of Finance on December 21 held a seminar to kick off a project on customs modernization with a funding of almost US$66 million from the World Bank (WB).
The project, which has a total cost of around US$77.7 million, aims to build the custom sector with sustainability, transparency, and suitability to international standards by 2010.
It will also help to ensure simplicity, harmony and synchrony for customs procedures, and profession and specialization for customs officials in the same period.
By 2010, the custom clearance system will be automatized in order to facilitate trade activities, attract foreign investment, accelerate economic growth, and ensure safe and sufficient State revenue and national security.
Addressing the seminar, Klaus Rohland, Director of the WB in Vietnam, stressed an essential need to modernize the customs sector and enhance its capability and competitiveness in the globalization process to manage and minimize risks.
He also urged for training courses for customs officials to enhance their capability and change their old ideology, admitting that the work is not easy.
As scheduled, the customs modernization project will provide consulting services, training, technical assistance and appropriate facilities to support three key operational components and one support component.
Since re-engaging in Vietnam in 1993, the World Bank has supported 51 projects to help fight poverty in Vietnam through finance for agriculture, infrastructure, health programs, schools, and other essential needs.
Since 1993, US$5.6 billion has been committed to Vietnam, of which over US$2.9 billion has been disbursed. This makes Vietnam the largest IDA-only borrower in the world.
Vietnam & World Economy
Vietnamese
