Customs reform needs accelerating
(VOV) -Vietnam needs to accelerate customs reform to facilitate import-export activities and improve the competitive capacity of businesses and the national economy as a whole, an international seminar heard in HCM City on August 22.
Experts agreed there has been considerable streamlining of Vietnam’s customs clearance procedures over the past 10 years. However, they said, there remain a few shortcomings in paperwork processing that still creates unnecessary delays.
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At present, it takes on average 21 days for businesses to complete Vietnam’s import-export procedures, while the figure in other ASEAN member countries is just 13 days on average.
There was general consensus at the seminar that the time to complete customs procedures could be greatly reduced through the utilisation of E-customs services and implementing a one-stop policy.
According to Government Resolution 19 issued on March 18, 2014, Vietnam aims to improve the business climate and boost administrative reforms during the 2014 – 2015 fiscal year.
Jonathan Simon, a USAID official, emphasised the need to complete the legal framework, increase responsibility of State agencies and encourage the participation of all sectors in the reform process.
These factors are a prerequisite to reform and sharpening the country’s competitive edge as well as improving the business ratings in the ASEAN bloc, he said.
The seminar was the result of a joint effort of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) as part of the Governance for Inclusive Growth Programme.