The Vietnamese Prime Minister recently issued Directive 18/CT-TTg on strengthened management and administrative reform in the customs field.
The directive notes that ministries, branches and localities have actively deployed, gradually improved State management efficiency, and shortened the time for customs clearance of imports and exports. However, the clearance duration is still high relative to that of ASEAN-6 countries. Some administrative procedures carried out on the National Single Window (NSW) and specialist inspections on exports and imports are still inadequate and slow to reform. The regulatory document system for customs inspections is plentiful, but inconsistent, impractical and incompatible with international practice.
There are still not enough inspection forces at border gates; inspection means are inefficient and ineffective; and coordination among responsible agencies is loose.
To accelerate administrative reform and strengthen customs management, the Prime Minister requested ministries, ministerial-level agencies, governmental agencies and provincial/municipal People’s Committees to carry out drastic and effective actions to achieve higher-than-expected targets specified in Resolution 19/NQ-CP dated March 12, 2015 of the Government on key tasks and measures to continued improvement of business environment and national competitiveness in 2015-2016.
They were told to speed up administrative procedure reform and apply information technology to State management; carry out interdisciplinary connections to work together to manage and implement administrative procedures relating to exportation and importation.
The Prime Minister asked the Finance Minister to lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice and relevant agencies to strictly control the promulgation of new customs administrative procedures; further review and simplify administrative procedures to ensure simplicity and easiness to reduce costs and compliance expenses.
The ministry was assigned to lead and collaborate with related ministries and agencies to accelerate the deployment and operation of NSW and ASEAN Single Window (ASW) to ensure information connectivity among responsible agencies with the Ministry of Finance (General Department of Vietnam Customs) via the NSW.
Besides, the ministry effectively operates the first phase of VNACCS/VCIS – an electronic customs clearance system; joins hands with Japan to complete necessary procedures to submit to the Prime Minister for the carrying out of the second phase of the system which will add new automated features like automatic licensing (e-Permit), electronic C/O (EC/O) electronic manifest (e-Manifest) and electronic tax payment.
Besides, the Prime Minister requested the Minister of Industry and Trade, the Minister of Science and Technology, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Minister of Transport, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Public Security, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Information and Communications, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, the Minister of Construction, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, and relevant bodies, based on their functions and duties, to review, build, and improve the legal system related to licensing, quarantine control, quality inspection and food safety testing of imports and exports.
The Prime Minister also requested priority and facilitation for specialised inspection of State-encouraged exports and imports used for domestic production. Related agencies, depending on their functions and tasks, review, develop and announce lists of coded exports and imports. Information registration, submission and result query are made online. The time for completion is before September 30.
They will study and issue national standards, technical regulations for goods subject to specialised tests to serve as basis for quality checking of products; specify the authority of State inspection in product quality; and designate or recognise certification/compliance of applied technical regulations and standards.
They will designate and encourage organisations to assess the suitability of specialised examinations for exported and imported goods towards saving investment resources of the State. The time for completion is expected to fall on the fourth quarter of this year.
In addition, the instruction also noted the importance of strengthening facilities, equipment, and manpower at border gates in big provinces and cities including Ha Noi, Hai Phong, HCM City, Da Nang, Lao Cai, Lang Son and Quang Ninh.
Competent agencies will direct affiliated specialised inspection agencies to coordinate with customs authorities to exchange information and inform specialised inspection results for quick, accurate clearance of goods; seriously handle violations in specialised inspection and customs laws; and strengthen specialised inspection on exported and imported goods. The time for completion is slated for the first quarter of 2016.
It is necessary to make administrative procedures public and transparent, make public working offices of State authorities at all levels, arrange capable and responsible personnel to prepare, receive and handle documents and administrative procedures.
The Prime Minister also asked the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), business associations and industry associations to survey and conduct independent researches to rate the quality of customs procedures and make public outcomes for the business community and send recommendations to the Ministry of Finance.
VCCI, business associations and industry associations in close cooperation with the business community identify problems, difficulties and shortcomings in the implementation of administrative procedures customs to reflect them to the Ministry of Finance (General Department of Customs) to handle and remove in a timely manner.
M.N
Customs Reform: VCCI to Survey Periodically and Disclose Publicly Related image(s)
0 comments:
Post a Comment