10th, September: Annual Customs-Business Forum 2024 with the theme “10 years of developing Customs-Business partnership”

(HQ Online) – On the occasion of the 79th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam Customs (September 10, 1945 – September 10, 2024), on September 10, at the headquarters of the General Department of Customs, Customs Magazine and the Customs Modernization Reform Board will jointly organize the 2024 Annual Customs-Business Forum, with the theme “10 years of developing Customs-Business partnership”.

The Logistics Services Association (VLA) is one of the associations that signed a cooperation agreement to develop the Customs-Enterprise partnership with the General Department of Customs very early. VLA Vice President Dang Vu Thanh shared with Customs Magazine many contents surrounding this topic.

Sir, VLA and the General Department of Customs have signed a cooperation document with many specific contents. Can you share about the effectiveness of this cooperation content?

– As we know, on September 26, 2017, VLA and the General Department of Customs signed a cooperation agreement with 4 main contents. Firstly, support and guide businesses in properly implementing customs laws. Secondly, strengthen the connection to serve the common interests of both sides. Thirdly, develop logistics services. Fourthly, enhance the capacity of customs agents. From the perspective of this cooperation, I think that the two sides have achieved very positive and positive results. The two sides have participated in many training sessions, refresher courses, organized and co-organized many different conferences and seminars related to expertise and profession in import-export and trade. These include: the conference to contribute ideas on Decree No. 08/2015/ND-CP of the Government; RCEP conference; Conference on reducing import-export costs; conference to collect constructive and critical opinions for policies on specialized inspections, etc.

And specially, both sides have jointly developed a set of indicators to assess the capacity of customs agents. Thus, in reality, the connection between VLA and the General Department of Customs has been increasingly strengthened in many forms and from many different perspectives.

On this occasion, we would like to express our sincere thanks to the Customs officials – those who have pioneered in administrative procedure reform and have brought many advantages to VLA member enterprises in particular and the business community in general. And certainly this connection will continue to be promoted in the future.

As a representative of VLA, how do you evaluate the partnership between the Association and the Customs agency and what benefits has it brought to businesses?

– The development of cooperation between VLA and the Customs agency over the past time has brought many practical benefits not only to businesses but also created favorable conditions for Vietnamese goods to quickly access international markets. Moreover, this close coordination also contributes to building a transparent and fair business environment, creating trust for investors and international partners, thereby promoting sustainable economic development.

Accordingly, the objectives and programs implemented are very specific. That is, guiding and supporting logistics service enterprises to properly implement customs law provisions; to complete the tasks assigned in Decision 200/QD-TTg and Decision 221/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister on the Action Plan to improve the capacity of Vietnam’s logistics industry; to improve the operational efficiency of customs clearance agents and the service quality of logistics service enterprises; to coordinate with the General Department of Customs to develop a set of criteria to transparently assess the capacity of customs clearance agents.

Handle customs and trade facilitation related tasks of the Association. Conduct policy consultations and reviews with state management agencies, trade representatives, associations, communities, experts, etc. on legal proposals and general procedures related to customs and trade facilitation. Conduct knowledge exchange activities in the industry and act as a focal point to make recommendations to authorities and resolve difficulties for members.

With the above practical benefits, can you share about the role of VLA in promoting the Customs – Business partnership, as well as supporting logistics businesses?

– VLA Association is a social and non-profit professional organization, we clearly understand our role and mission in supporting members. One of the most important tasks is to help members improve their professional capacity in customs clearance of import and export goods by promoting cohesion, strengthening cohesion with relevant agencies and specifically at the Customs agency. We will continue to be the focal point for synthesizing information, analyzing data on the profession and we will continue to actively participate in organizing and co-organizing all seminars, conferences, training courses, and training courses with the highest spirit of compliance with customs laws.

With our mission, we always clearly recognize the importance of close cooperation with state management agencies, especially the Customs agency – the focal point for specialized inspection activities. Customs not only plays a key role in managing and supervising import and export activities but is also an important bridge to help logistics enterprises overcome trade barriers, promoting the smooth and efficient circulation of goods.

What suggestions do you have to develop the Customs-Business partnership in the coming time to achieve even greater results?

– We propose recommendations for the 2024-2027 action plan. Firstly, strengthen cooperation and dialogue: build contact points to receive and resolve problems of businesses and associations; continue to coordinate in organizing the introduction, dissemination and guidance of legal regulations on customs related to logistics service business activities; coordinate in contributing opinions to draft legal documents, policies and other regulations of the Customs sector related to logistics service business activities…

Second, promote the application of information technology. Coordinate between the General Department of Customs and VLA to exchange and research the possibilities of optimizing and integrating Customs management software with popular systems/platforms in logistics, e-commerce, eB/L management, etc.; support and promote digital transformation of enterprises and related parties to ensure synchronization with the digital transformation process of the Customs sector.

Third, improve capacity and service quality. Accordingly, support businesses, Customs agencies at all levels promote support for businesses on topics related to customs procedures according to types of import and export goods, legal regulations on on-site import and export goods, classification, determination of origin value…

Thank you!

According to Online Customs Magazine

According to VLA