With the aim of promoting international cooperation and integration in the customs field to contribute to reforming and modernizing customs processes and procedures, the General Department of Customs has recently issued an international cooperation and international integration plan for the 2021-2025 period.

Accordingly, in order to facilitate legal trade and customs law enforcement to serve the improvement of customs management activities of Vietnam Customs in accordance with international standards; as well as to contribute to protecting the interests, sovereignty, economic security and social safety of the country for the 2021-2025 period, the General Department of Customs continues to assert its position and enhance its role and prestige in the global customs community. In particular, continuing to promote the achievements from international cooperation and integration in the 2016-2020 period.

At the same time, to enhance the responsibilities of leaders at all levels and civil servants across the whole sector for the implementation of the duties of international cooperation and integration of the Customs sector; to strengthen monitoring, inspection and evaluation of the performance of international cooperation and integration and ensure quality and well-trained staff to join international cooperation and integration activities; and to strengthen research and forecasting of the development trend of world customs to drive the development of Vietnam Customs.

The 13th Meeting ASEM Customs Directors-General and Commissioners
has affirmed the proactive participation of Vietnam Customs in international
integration cooperation. Photo: Hong Nu

In order to ensure compliance with the Party's policies and guidelines and state laws on foreign affairs and international integration, associated with the implementation of the Vietnam Customs Development Strategy for the 2021-2030 period, international cooperation and integration activities of the whole sector must be implemented proactively and flexibly on the basis of international commitments within the framework of effective international treaties and agreements; mutually beneficial cooperation andprotection of national interests, according to the General Department of Customs.

The General Department of Customs also sets targets, tasks and solutions for international cooperation and integration in the 2021-2025 period. Accordingly, with the aim of strongly supporting the reform and modernization of the Customs sector, it is necessary to research and apply achievements of industry, technology and modern customs management methods to the customs operations to facilitate trade and ensure security, safety, and customs control.

At the same time, to establish and complete the necessary legal grounds for mutual cooperation and assistance in the customs sector with other countries in accordance with the provisions of law on functions, duties and powers of the customs administration, contributing to perfecting the legal system in the field of customs.

To improve and expand multilateral and bilateral cooperation relationships; to raise the level and quality of cooperation and integration into a deep, substantive and effective manner; to play a key role in customs cooperation in the Framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and to keep up with ASEAN-4 countries in terms of regional integration.

To promote information exchange with foreign partners according to regulations to effective and promptly support investigations against smuggling, trade fraud and customs management. To ensure the full, substantive and effective implementation of international commitments related to the customs sector to which Vietnam is acceded. To strengthen the coordination and connection between international cooperation activities of the Customs sector and the general international cooperation activities of the Finance sector to serve the development of the Customs sector in particular and the Finance sector in general.