Director of Binh Phuoc Customs Department Nguyen Van Lich directly answered businesses' problems. Photo: N.H

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Nguyen Van Lich, Director of Binh Phuoc Customs Department, said that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a great impact on the economy in general and the business community in particular. However, as a member of many free trade agreements, Vietnam has become an attractive investment destination and brings many advantages to businesses in their production, business and export activities.

In addition, the Customs Authority has always created maximum favorable conditions for businesses in the process of investment, production and business. According to statistics in the first 6 months of 2024, in the total revenue from import and export activities at Binh Phuoc Customs Department, revenues from export duty only reached over 10% and decreased by over 80% compared to the plan. Meanwhile, export turnover recorded an increase of up to 98%, showing that the production activities of businesses in the area are recovering and developing.

"The above figures are a testament to the spirit of service of the Customs Authority towards the business community. The Customs Authority has to arrange personnel to manage businesses, resolve procedures and support businesses, but the amount of tax collected is very small" - Mr. Nguyen Van Lich said.

Accordingly, Binh Phuoc Customs Department always wants to listen to opinions from the business community to understand and join hands to solve difficulties for businesses. Right from when businesses have the intention of investing in Binh Phuoc, the Customs Authority has proactively contacted, consulted policies and accompanied businesses throughout the investment and operation process.

Dialogue conference is one of the effective business support channels of Binh Phuoc Customs Department. Photo: N.H

Mrs. Tran Thi Uyen, Head of Technical Division, Binh Phuoc Customs Department, also informed that the consultation and dialogue conference with businesses is one of the effective support channels of Binh Phuoc Customs Department for the business community. Every year, the department organized 2 conferences at the department level and 4 conferences at the branch level with many practical topics such as assessing business compliance and resolving difficulties and obstacles in the field of specialized inspection for import and export goods; conferences to exchange with processing, manufacturing, exporting and processing enterprises, FDI enterprises; dialogue conferences between businesses and rewards for businesses that pay large taxes and comply well with customs laws; on answering customs policies and procedures and removing difficulties in the field of import and export of cashew nuts...

Specifically in Becamex IP in Binh Phuoc, Mrs. Uyen informed that there were currently 46 FDI projects out of a total of 70 investment projects here, including countries and territories: Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand...

In the first five months of 2024, the total budget revenue of businesses in Becamex IP Zone is VND 63.6 billion, accounting for more than 10% of the total revenue of Binh Phuoc Customs Department.

It is noteworthy that among the 70 investment projects in Becamex IP Zone, there are currently 27 projects that have come into operation and 10 projects are under construction. Accordingly, the growth potential in the coming time here is still very large.

However, through monitoring the compliance with customs laws of businesses here, Mrs. Duyen said that businesses often violate the time limit for customs procedures and submit tax dossiers; violate customs declaration regulations such as incorrect declaration compared to the actual quantity, name, type, quality, customs value, origin of exported goods, imported goods subject to tax exemption, goods not subject to tax complying with the provisions of the law. Along with that are violations of tax declaration regulations leading to a shortage of tax payable or an increase in the amount of tax exempted, refunded, or not collected; violations of inspection and control regulations.

In the face of this reality, Mrs. Uyen said that to facilitate trade, reduce costs for businesses; support businesses in handling difficulties, preventing violations and raising the level of business compliance with the law, the Voluntary Compliance Program of the General Department of Vietnam Customs brings great benefits to businesses.

When participating in the program, businesses will be directly supported and consulted to contact and resolve difficulties; exchange information, warn against factors that reduce compliance; facilitate the application of machine scanning control measures; organize free cooperation and training programs to improve compliance.

Currently, 6 businesses in Binh Phuoc Customs Department have participated in this program. Ms. Uyen hopes that in the future there will be more businesses participating in the program, thereby helping to raise the level of customs law compliance in the business community, creating a foundation for sustainable development in business operations.