Simplifying customs procedures to facilitate import-export activities

The event attracted the attendance of the deputy head of the reform and modernisation department of the Customs General Department, Tran Quoc Dinh, head of the business information technology institute of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Le Van Loi, as well as senior customs officials, representatives from State management agencies and more than 100 businesses in Hanoi.

The seminar was in the framework of the Government’s project on assisting businesses in IT applications in the integration and development process from 2006 to 2010.

Speaking at the event, Mr Dinh emphasised on the need to implement e-customs procedures to catch up with regional countries in the international economic integration process. He introduced processes for completing e-customs procedures and laid down guidelines for the coming period.

Mr Dinh said that by 2020 the Customs General Department will focus on intensifying risk management, using high-tech equipment and developing an e-customs system. He said: “Import-export turnover in the domestic market has increased rapidly - 22 percent in export and 20 percent in import - while customs staff has been almost unchanged. Hence, it is necessary to simplifying customs procedures and promote e-customs clearance in order to create an attractive business environment and provide good conditions for enterprises to get involved in import-export activities.”

Mr Dinh’s view was shared by Le Duc Thanh from the IT and Statistics department under the Customs General Department, who said that it is essential to expand e-customs clearance and build customs website into a portal, which supplies information and public services to people and businesses. Accordingly, businesses can download customs forms and documents or directly fill in the forms and send them to customs agencies.

In addition, Mr Thanh said, by 2010 there will be 5.1 million customs forms and 58.500 businesses taking part in import-export activities. Therefore, the Customs General Department will implement E-Learning tools on its website, with the aim of training businesses and guiding them through the customs procedures.

At the seminar, businesses had a good chance to meet and talk with leaders of functional agencies about their obstacles in completing customs procedures and participating in e-customs clearance.

Similar seminars were held previously in Lang Son and Quang Ninh provinces on November 17 and 19, respectively, and are expected to take place in the three big cities namely Dong Nai, Da Nang and Hai Phong from now until the end of this year.

Source: VOV