Enterprises want to comply

According to Mr. Nguyen Hai Minh, currently, as global trade increases, the workload of the Customs agency has also increased. To handle that workload, coordination between the Customs agency and enterprises must be carried out regularly and continuously.

Through the process of working and exchanging, EuroCham and the business community truly admire the reform work and working methods of the Customs agency that have been taking place strongly and bringing positive results. The effectiveness is demonstrated through the fact that enterprises are increasingly improving their competitiveness and grasping the responsibility of complying with regulations to operate more effectively. The business community recognizes and appreciates the fact that the Customs agency regularly organizes, participates in dialogues, shares, and grasps compliance issues from the business side, Mr. Nguyen Hai Minh emphasized.

However, Mr. Nguyen Hai Minh said that although significant results have been achieved, there are still some issues that need to be strengthened in the cooperative partnership between the Customs agency and enterprises in general and with EuroCham and European enterprises in particular.

Mr. Nguyen Hai Minh, Vice Chairman of EuroCham, shared at the Customs - Business Forum 2024 with the theme: "10 years of developing the Customs - Business partnership. Photo: Thai Binh

Because, according to Mr. Nguyen Hai Minh, not only European enterprises but all enterprises always want to comply, but to do so, it must rely on many different factors such as: institutions, people, culture, organizational structure, related laws, compliance costs, etc.

Therefore, Mr. Nguyen Hai Minh believes that continuous and periodic exchanges between enterprises and Customs agencies through dialogues, removing difficulties and obstacles in the compliance process are very necessary and important. In addition, enterprises also expect that Customs agencies will continue to integrate technology into customs procedures to improve efficiency and transparency. The success of the partnership between Customs and enterprises depends on strong public-private cooperation.

Representing European businesses, EuroCham emphasized that it will strive to strengthen the relationship, ensuring that all parties work together to promote a customs system that is not only compliant, but also helps support economic growth and enhance competitiveness.

At the same time, EuroCham will continue to facilitate dialogue sessions, ensuring that the concerns of European businesses are listened to and addressed promptly and thoroughly by Customs authorities; sharing and promoting the application of new digital tools.

In addition, as customs regulations continue to change and develop, EuroCham plans to expand training programs to cover new areas of interest, as well as update new requirements and regulations of the European Union related to import and export.

Benefits for all parties

EuroCham is the voice representing the European business community in Vietnam with more than 1,400 members operating in many industries and fields. Over the years, EuroCham has worked closely with the General Department of Customs and provincial and municipal customs departments such as those in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to promote a cooperative environment that benefits all parties.

Scene of session 2 of the Customs - Business Forum 2024 with the theme: "10 years of developing the Customs - Business partnership". Photo: Thai Binh

According to the assessment, this cooperation has been demonstrated through various forms, including regular dialogue sessions, training programs, seminars, etc. These initiatives have created a platform for businesses to directly contact, propose, recommend, and share the difficulties and problems they encounter with customs leaders at all levels, thereby listening to specific instructions and solutions to implement in accordance with regulations.

It can be said that, not only the dialogues between customs and businesses, EuroCham also highly appreciates the General Department of Customs' participation in consulting with the business community in policy making and reform implementation.

However, the increase in trade and import-export brought about by the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) also requires a more efficient and transparent customs system. According to EuroCham’s recent Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey, to fully reap the benefits of the EVFTA, customs regulations need to be simplified, ensuring that goods move smoothly across borders and that regulatory compliance is effectively implemented.

An effective customs system is the foundation of international trade. For European businesses in Vietnam, efficient customs procedures are essential to reduce costs, minimize clearance times and maintain the competitiveness of their businesses and products.

In the context of the EVFTA, these requirements are becoming increasingly important, and businesses must ensure that they fully meet all necessary regulatory requirements to fully reap the benefits of tariff reductions and other benefits that the agreement brings.

In response to the requirements of businesses, EuroCham highly appreciates the initiative of the Customs authority in accelerating the modernization of the customs system to support the country's growing role in global trade. In particular, the business community in general and European businesses in particular acknowledge the Customs authority's effective implementation of many solutions to streamline processes, enhance transparency and reduce administrative barriers that businesses face.

In particular, recently, Vietnam Customs has implemented a series of reforms to comply with the best international standards. Typically, applying e-customs, implementing the Priority Enterprise (AEO) program, etc, or the integration of technology into the customs inspection and supervision process also plays an important role, allowing businesses to send documents via the electronic system, track shipments in real time and benefit from faster processing times.

EuroCham affirmed that the reform efforts of the Customs authority not only help businesses easily comply with regulations but also reduce customs clearance time and costs.