August 29, 2019 | 21:17 (GMT+7)
Meeting to boost implementation of USAID-funded trade facilitation program
PANO - Deputy Director of the General Department of Vietnam Customs Mai Xuan Thanh recently worked with representatives from relevant ministries and departments and experts from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to boost the implementation of an USAID-funded trade facilitation program (TFP) with a focus on improving the checking of imports and exports.
The TFP, approved by the Prime Minister on May 24 of this year, aims to reform, standardize and simplify administrative procedures related to imports and exports in line with international standards to realize the World Trade Organization's Trade Facilitation Agreement, of which both Vietnam and the United States are members.
This program’s goals are also aimed to facilitate trade in accordance with Vietnam’s demands in the current period and to improve the efficiency of the One-door mechanism of the nation.
The nearly 22 million USD program will be carried out in five years.
At the meeting, USAID experts said that for nearly two decades, Vietnam has become one of the most open economies in the world. However, shortcomings in completing customs clearance procedures have hindered Vietnam from improving trade competitiveness. Therefore, with the TFP, Vietnam would carry out risk management approaches to promote the implementation of the World Trade Organization's Trade Facilitation Agreement. This will help Vietnam to meet its development goals and shorten time and reduce trade expense.
Meanwhile, Thanh hoped that relevant ministries and department would actively cooperate with the general department and USAID experts to implement the TFP early, contributing to further facilitating trade and promoting the effectiveness of state management over imports and exports.
Translated by Song Anh