GDVC’s Director General Nguyen Van Can addresses the virtual conference. Photo: Q.H

In 2021, the GDVC has properly assessed the situation and provided solutions to perform tasks in accordance with reality to implement the goal of preventing the Covid-19 pandemic while facilitating trade and ensuring customs management. The trade revenue exceeded the record of US$600 billion, estimated at US$669 billion for the whole year, with a trade surplus of US$3.5 billion.

Regarding revenue collection, in addition to trade facilitation solutions, the GDVC has drastically implemented a series of solutions to combat revenue loss, thereby achieving the highest annual revenue (estimated at VND370,000 billion in 2021).

Regarding anti-smuggling work, amid the outbreak of Covid-19, the smuggling, trade fraud and illicit transportation of goods across border gates have increased, especially transnational drug crime.

The national customs sector has developed and implemented plans and measures to prevent and tackle many large cases.

The sector has presided over and coordinated to tackle many large-scale transnational drug cases, and arrested many suspects in transnational drug trafficking rings. This achievement has shown the great development of the Customs force in anti-smuggling work.

Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, although the number of arrests by members of the National Steering Committees 389 decreased sharply compared with 2020, the number of cases handled by Customs only dropped by about 10%. This showed the efficiency in performance by the Customs sector.

In 2021, the sector has made great efforts to fulfill the assigned tasks.

Regarding the tasks for 2022, the whole sector needs to effectively comply with the directions of the Deputy Minister of Finance Vu Thi Mai at the virtual conference; implement targets and solutions set out by the GDVC in the draft report on reviewing performance in 2021 and developing tasks for 2022.

The customs sector needs to focus on performing the key tasks as follows:

For administrative reform, the sector needs to urgently report to the Government to issue a decree stipulating the management mechanism, methods and procedures for quality inspection and food safety inspection for imports, a decree on customs management of imports and exports via e-commerce, a decree on connection and exchanging of information via the National Single Window. The Decree revising a number of articles of Decree 08/2015/ND-CP and Decree 59/2018/ND-CP needs to meet the requirements on implementing Digital Customs and the Smart Customs model.

Regarding budget collection, the whole sector is determined to achieve and exceed the target of VND352,000 billion. To complete this important political task, from the beginning of the year, the GDVC will issue a directive on implementing budget collection with specific solutions and tasks for each unit.

The execution of work related to Digital Customs and the smart Customs model needs to be completed to soon implement the pilot program. The implementation of Digital Customs and the smart Customs model is related to organizational structure, training, fostering human resources, investing in equipment, so it requires great efforts of the entire sector.

In 2022, smuggling activities are forecast to develop in all fields, regimes and areas, which require the customs forces to strengthen measures, focus on application and promote the efficiency of modern equipment and technology.

Regarding force building, the Customs sector needs to further strengthen discipline and enhance responsibility in performing tasks. It is necessary to comply with Decree 02/ 2021/ND-CP.