ASEAN Customs Cooperation and Integration Activities to Take Place in April 2024 in Laos

Actively participate in shaping cooperation mechanisms and institutions

Up to now, within the multilateral framework, Vietnam Customs has participated in negotiations, signed and implemented about 30 documents and cooperation agreements with the World Customs Organization (WCO), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and ASEAN. Within the bilateral framework, Vietnam Customs has always maintained the expansion of cooperative relations and mutual support with customs authorities around the world.

Previously, participation in international organizations was only at the level of exercising membership rights and obligations, but now the customs sector is gradually transforming into a proactive position, actively participating in shaping cooperation mechanisms and institutions, creating a legal framework for cooperation activities and mutual assistance.

Director of the Department of International Cooperation (General Department of Customs) Dao Duc Hai said: Within the framework of the WTO, Vietnam Customs is the focal agency implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) with commitments on reforming administrative procedures in the tax and customs sector; currently, Vietnam's TFA implementation rate has reached 94.5% and will ensure full implementation by the end of 2024.

Within the framework of APEC, we have actively coordinated to implement cooperation programs, such as: the project with the United States on "Promoting the linkage of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in e-commerce on regulatory procedures for low-value goods"; with China on "Enhancing Customs Services and Intelligent Supervision to enhance the development of free trade zones/free port zones", with Japan on "Building capacity related to self-certification of origin in FTAs/RTAs"...

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, under the rotation mechanism, Vietnam Customs will assume the chairmanship and host the 33rd ASEAN Directors-General of Customs Meeting (ADGCM) in 2024. The meeting is a forum to discuss and make decisions, direct and orient activities related to customs integration measures, focusing on professional areas of trade facilitation, customs control, and customs capacity building.

As the Chair of the Customs in 2024, Vietnam will strive to strengthen connectivity and unity among ASEAN countries to continue implementing the ASEAN Customs Development Strategic Plan for the period 2021-2025, focusing on prioritizing the implementation of the following contents: ASEAN Single Window; ASEAN Customs Transit Mechanism; Mechanism for Mutual Recognition of Priority Enterprises in ASEAN. In addition, it is encouraged to strengthen dialogue and consultation with ADGCM partners to achieve goals suitable to the economic development situation in the new period such as: Green Customs, building an ecosystem of customs data, customs modernization, electronic data exchange, customs management for e-commerce; simplifying customs procedures for low-value shipments, etc.

Stay ahead of the trade trend

The trend of developing e-commerce, digital transformation and applying achievements of the fourth industrial revolution will be the driving force for customs agencies around the world to apply new technologies in management activities. Therefore, cooperation towards sharing experiences in applying technology and digital transformation to modernize customs management and facilitate uninterrupted global trade supply chains will need to be strongly promoted.

Director of the Department of International Cooperation (General Department of Customs) Dao Duc Hai said that the very important requirement now is to research, evaluate and correctly forecast the trends of trade and investment relations between Vietnam and strategic partners and cooperation partners, thereby accurately planning plans, orientations and determining cooperation priorities suitable to internal resource conditions.

The focus will be on connecting and exchanging electronic data between customs authorities of different countries to serve the management and clearance of import and export goods. In addition, negotiations on mutual recognition of the AEO program between customs authorities of different countries will also increase in the context of countries aiming to balance between ensuring security and facilitating trade.

At the 31st session of the 15th National Assembly Standing Committee, many opinions emphasized: In order to maximize the benefits from the international cooperation and integration process of the customs sector, businesses need to pay due attention to economic integration issues and proactively grasp international commitments in the fields of trade and customs.

Another goal is to accompany and support customs agencies in the process of reform, modernization and international integration; proactively participate in the consultation process to develop policies, laws and documents implementing international commitments to ensure feasibility, reasonableness and not hinder legitimate commercial activities of enterprises.

Comrade Dao Duc Hai added that, in connection with the trend of customs cooperation, the General Department of Customs will closely cooperate with foreign partners to research, study and evaluate customs management models and development trends of modern customs management in the new context.

Thereby, connecting and exchanging information smoothly, coordinating to verify the origin of goods, verifying cases of suspected violations of customs laws; strengthening coordination in controlling drugs, rare animals and plants, and illegal waste transportation; researching and piloting the exchange of information on goods according to a number of key commodities and between pairs of major seaports of Vietnam and partners with a large proportion of trade to serve the requirements of management and customs clearance of import and export goods.

International cooperation needs to demonstrate extensive effectiveness in the spirit of equality and mutual benefit, which will help Vietnam's export goods avoid barriers to inspection procedures in importing countries, shorten customs clearance time, reduce costs of handling goods at border gates and increase competitive advantages in these markets.

Over the five phases, Vietnam Customs has participated in the development and dissemination of 115 warnings and five summary reports assessing the implementation of the phases of the campaign to all members. In the phase 5 campaign alone, Vietnam Customs seized 123 cases of drugs and wildlife. In April 2024, in Vietnam, Vietnam Customs hosted the launching conference of the phase 6 "Mekong Dragon" campaign.
According to nhandan.vn