Kunio Mikuriya, deputy secretary of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), expressed readiness to assist Viet Nam in implementing customs-related issues consistent with WTO standards.
“Now, Viet Nam is ready to join the World Trade Organisation. In the area of implementation after the country’s WTO accession, if Viet Nam customs identifies any problems, we are ready to give assistance,” the WCO official affirmed at a briefing held on the sidelines of the second meeting of APEC sub-Committee on Customs Procedures in central Da Nang city on Sept. 7.
He said that the WCO, delegated by the WTO to take up customs-related issues in the WTO, has worked together with Viet Nam to make its customs practice consistent with the WTO procedures in such areas as evaluation.
“We intend to continue that assistance,” the WCO official noted.
He highlighted the progress made by Viet Nam customs, naming the development of a well-functioning computer system and a risk management capacity.
“Many participants to the APEC Business-Customs Dialogue, especially international businesses, praised efforts made by Viet Nam customs,” he said.
In the past, all goods in Viet Nam were subject to inspection, but with enhanced risk management capacity, Viet Nam customs now have to inspect only a small part of imports and exports, significantly facilitating a smooth flow of goods, the WCO official said.
He complimented Viet Nam customs efforts to improve customs services, saying Viet Nam has made a huge effort in conforming with standards in ASEAN, APEC and the WCO.
He added that these efforts have attracted many donors to come to Viet Nam to help.
The WCO has been providing technical assistance to Viet Nam customs. Recently it sent a mission to Viet Nam to assess the progress made by the country recently and pinpoint necessary issues that Viet Nam customs should reform.
“I do hope that based on the outcome of the study, Viet Nam could continue its strategy of development in the future,” the WCO official stressed.
Source: VNA