The General Department of Customs is adopting more transparent procedures to boost import-exports. Thoi bao Kinh te Viet Nam (Vietnam Economic Times) talked to officials about the move.

* Dang Thi Binh An, GDC deputy director

Since coming into effect on July 1, 2007, the law on fax management has enabled the customs sector to better perform its tasks, particularly in risk management and electronic customs clearance.

The law is a reflection of the country's policy reform, which is geared toward increasing transparency in tax management, and making clearer the rights and obligations of both tax payers and the taxation department and its staff.

I can say the law is a step in the right direction for a country in the process of deeper international integration.

Customs checks on enterprises' fulfilment of tax payments have improved sizeably since then.

In addition to its jurisdiction to set import-export tariffs and check and audit enterprises' tax payments, the customs office also has the task of issuing certificates that enterprises have fulfilled all their tax obligations.

Under the law, a customs office or customs official is obliged to compensate the tax payer for any damage caused by the department.

To achieve transparency and efficacy in the performance of its duties, the GDC needs the close co-operation and support of enterprises.

The GDC is committed to continuing customs reform, management modernisation and installing a consultation mechanism that will help enterprises resolve their problems with the department more effectively.

* Pham Gia Tuc, Secretary of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)

Generally speaking, the customs sector has an important role in import-export management.

The boom of the business community and the new economic situation have given a strong boost to economic transactions inside and outside the country.

This requires the customs sector and enterprises to work together to achieve their respective objectives.

But I have to admit that due to the unco-operative attitudes and low moral standards of some customs officials, the image of customs officials has been tainted.

On behalf of the enterprises, the VCCI has asked the GDC to accelerate its modernisation process and administrative reforms, including the move to make customs officials more accountable.

It is hoped that regular dialogues between the GDC and enterprises - a forum for the GDC to listen to enterprises' needs and problems, and for the GDC to inform enterprises of new policies and mechanisms - will further help promote import-export activities.

* Lai Quang Trung, head of the Material Import-Export Unit of the Viet Nam Steel Corporation

The recent dialogue between the GDC and enterprises has given the two parties the opportunity to better understand each other.

I personally took note of the considerable improvement in customs clearance, particularly with the introduction of electronic customs clearance.

The system is an indication of the confidence the GDC has in enterprises and vice versa.

However, there remains a problem that needs to be addressed immediately - corruption among some customs officials.

As our country integrates deeper and deeper into the global economy, the GDC should take an active role in protecting enterprises' rights.

I hope that at the next dialogue with the GDC, there will be more time for enterprises to voice their common concerns, rather than going deeply into the problems of only a few.

* Do Quang Doan, director of the Tan Quang Minh Import-Export and Trade Company

My company specialises in exporting rubber and other goods.

To reduce the customs clearance time, we often have to bribe customs officials - something we don't want to do.

I hope that through administrative reform the GDC will put an end to such illegal practices in order to cultivate a better image of customs officials in the eyes of our enterprise.

* Nguyen Huu Xuan, director of the Goods Analysis Centre in northern Vietnam

In four years of operation, our centre has analysed more than 20,000 goods samples that have gone through customs, of which 60% of the goods had had their tax code changed.

Among the goods that had their tax code changed, about a half had to pay higher tariffs and one third enjoyed lower tariff rates.

This is an indication of the lack of knowledge about tariff rates on the side of the enterprises and the need for the customs office to improve the quality of its checks.

At present the requirement for goods analysis is increasing rapidly; focusing mainly on chemical agents and their by-products, equipment, machinery and steel.

Generally speaking, I can say that importers and exporters have welcomed the results our centre has achieved so far.

Through our activities, we have helped prevent trade fraud and have an objective voice, in goods quality control, as well as in protecting enterprises' rights.

Source: Viet Nam News