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Au Anh Tuan Director of Customs Control and Supervision Department (under the GDVC).

With reformed contents stated in the scheme on reforming the model of quality inspection and foods safety inspection for import goods, approved by the Prime Minister, could you tell us about tasks that need to be deployed by the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC)?

After the Prime Minister issued Decision 38/QD-TTg, the GDVC has held meetings for discussing the deployment plan for reporting to the Ministry of Finance to issue the plan.

Regarding the tasks of Customs, to implement Decision 38/QD-TTg, it is necessary to develop a decree regulating the customs management mechanism, mode, order andprocedures for quality inspection and food safety inspection for import goods under the new model. Customs shall focus on perfecting the IT system to meet model reform requirements in the direction that Customs is the focal point in receiving registration applications for quality inspection and food safety inspection, and in identifying the inspection mode and returning inspection results for the business via the Customs system. At the same time, it willfocus on upgrading equipment and giving additional human resources, ensuring effective quality inspection and food safety inspection after being designated by ministries and agencies as well as in accordance with the regulations of the scheme.

Customs shall also develop a risk management system towards applying from the first stage to the end. Develop an IT system for food safety and quality inspections with relevant agencies, ministries and sectors, and build a performance monitoring mechanism for conformity certification/inspection organisations designated by ministries and agencies.

To perform reform tasks specified in Decision 38/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister, the development of legal basis is the key mission. So how specificallyis the GDVC currently performing this mission?

The formulation of the decree in accordance with the Decision of the Prime Minister is a very important mission. Therefore, the GDVC has urgently coordinated ministries, branches and units under the Ministry of Finance to develop the draft decree. Currently, the GDVC has issued a detailed plan on developing the draft decree and worked with relevant units to establish a drafting board.

The GDVC has asked for comments from thecustoms units of provinces, cities, and units under the Ministry of Finance. At the same time, organising internal and online meetings with major local customs units and units under the Ministry of Finance for comment.

After completion, the GDVC will submit it to the Ministry of Finance for consultation with ministries andPeople's Committees of provinces and cities as well as work with associations and stakeholders for consultation from parties, and consult the business community, related parties and affected subjects to ensure the efficiency and be consistent with the reformed content of the Prime Minister.

Could you speak about the directions in developing the draft decree?

The draft decree will closely follow the targets set out in Decision 38/QD-TTg. The first, implementing comprehensive reform on food safety inspection and quality inspection model in the direction of simplifying procedures and maximising IT application. On the one hand, it facilitates firmsin implementing procedures while ensuring management for import goods and meeting requirements on food safety and quality, health protection andlabour safety for people and businesses.

The decree also aims to cut costs for businesses, speed up customs clearance time, and minimise contact points towards that the customs shall be the focal point to receive registration application for quality inspection and checking application and performing tasks related to verification, quality inspection and food safety inspection after being designated by the ministries and branches and meeting conditions. At the same time, the draft also provides regulations on information coordination mechanisms between the Customs authority and ministries and branches to promptly prevent violations.

The draft decree follows seven major reforms that have been approved in Decision 38/QD-TTg, especially focuses on synchronous application of three inspection methods. If the consignments meet the quality three consecutive times within 12 months and have undergone the strict inspection shall be applied the normal inspection, and those in the three consecutive times within 12 months have undergone the normal inspection shall be applied reduced inspection. At the same time, objects subject to exemptionfrom inspection shall be expanded in accordance with the spirit of the scheme. They are the major goals in developing a decree providing for the management mechanism, mode, order and procedures for quality inspection and food safety inspection for import goods.

When is the decree expected to be submitted to competent authorities for promulgation?

According to the plan approved by the Prime Minister, and the plan issued by the Minister of Finance, the GDVC will develop a draft decree to submit it to the Ministry of Finance and the Government for promulgation in the second quarter of 2021. In the coming time, the GDVC will mobilize the highest resources to complete the draft according to the roadmap. In the process, the GDVC will carefully consult with the business community and ministries, and will abolish and replace procedures that are not consistent with the Scheme. The review all the legal document system on specialized inspection is a heavy task, so Customs makes great effort to work with relevant agencies to complete the Decree and guiding documents.