Vietnam Customs holds a press conference to introduce APEC in 2017

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To prepare for APEC 2017 in Da Nang, Vietnam Customs will implement a number of activities within the framework of the Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) and the Sub-committee on Customs procedures (SCCP) on the sidelines of the SOM.

Speaking to the press, Mr. Duong Van Tam, the Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department said that since 2016, Vietnam Customs prepared procedures for APEC in 2017. On the basis of a series of activities of APEC Vietnam in 2017, the General Department of Vietnam Customs will implement a number of activities within the framework of the Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI). Vietnam Customs will also chair the Sub-committee on Customs procedures (SCCP) on the sidelines of the first Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM1); the second SCCP on the sidelines of SOM3 and some relevant activities held in Nha Trang from 20th February 2017 to 23rd February 2017 and in Ho Chi Minh City from 15th August 2017 to 28th August 2017.

In addition to organizing SCCP, Vietnam Customs will preside over the Dialogue Conference between Customs and enterprises and co-chaired the meeting of the APEC Experts Group on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade (EGILAT) with the Ministry Agriculture and Rural Development, the APEC Alliance for Supply Chain Connectivity (A2C2) with the Ministry of Industry and Trade; and some seminars on the sidelines of SCCP such as: the Seminar on the National Single Window and the Seminar on trade facilitation.

With the theme "Creating New Dynamism, Fostering A Shared Future", APEC 2017 will focus on key issues such as: Promoting sustainable growth and creativeness; strengthening economic cooperation and regional integration; facilitating micro-enterprises, small and medium enterprises through enhancing competitiveness, innovation and participating in global value chains; enhancing food security and sustainable agriculture to adapt to climate change.

In the sequence of national priorities, the Committee on Trade and Investment has also identified the main issues at the meeting of CTI to implement one of the national priorities outlined above.

Specifically: Striving for the Bogor Goals on trade facilitation and building of key issues for APEC 2020; continuing to promote the commitment to implement FTAs in the Asia-Pacific region; promoting cooperation in APEC to connect the supply chain; facilitating micro-enterprises, small and medium enterprises; promoting ancillary industries as well as promoting global value chains and liberalization of trade services.

In order to contribute to fulfilling the objectives of CTI, in the Sub-committee on Customs procedures (SCCP) meeting, there will 7 main contents to be discussed, including: the Agreement on trade facilitation within the WTO framework; the deployment of the National Single Window; the development of the AEO program; the application of information technology and risk management in Customs management; the management enforcement of intellectual property rights across borders; promotion of e-commerce across borders and supply chain connectivity.

Vietnam Customs has selected two key issues in the framework of APEC in 2017 including: Ensuring commercial security in the supply chain connectivity which emphasizes the implementation of measures to prevent smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeiting for trade facilitation through the National Single Window.

With the leading role of SCCP in APEC 2017, Vietnam Customs desires to contribute to creating a connection and regional cooperation in the field of Customs when the world faces up with many problems of security such as counter-terrorism, anti-smuggling and anti-illegal transportation of drugs; and security challenges in the digital era for trade; or pressures to maintain sustainable economic growth to adapt to climate change.

In addition to the operations of SCCP and relevant meetings, Vietnam Customs is also stepping up preparations to implement tasks in line with the direction of the National Secretariat APEC 2017 to contribute to the promotion of Vietnam culture to international friends.

A reporter of the Labour Newspaper reporter asked: “With a leading role in activities related to Customs procedures, what experiences will Vietnam Customs share with other countries in the fight against smuggling and commercial fraud?”

In response to this question, Mr. Duong Van Tam said from 2016, Vietnam Customs was very active in the preparation of relevant contents. In particular, the General Department of Vietnam Customs has appointed Deputy Director General, Mr. Vu Ngoc Anh as the Chairman of the Steering Committee for APEC SCCP in 2017 and the Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department, Mr. Duong Van Tam as the leader of a group on contents for APEC 2017. Besides, Vietnam Customs has also established the content groups, which include members from civil service and Customs officers. Till now, the content groups have made detailed plans to complete assigned tasks within the framework of APEC. Specifically, the Customs Newspaper will make and design a book to introduce Vietnam Customs. The Office of the General Department of Vietnam Customs has organized relevant activities with the press.

Also, the General Department of Vietnam Customs has requested Customs Department of Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi, Da Nang and Nha Trang to make a plan in facilitating and organizing activities related to APEC.

Regarding key issues, Vietnam Customs has recently organized two workshops related to determine key issues for APEC 2017. Accordingly, there will be 2 key contents to be discussed in APEC, including the National Single Window; and the fight against smuggling, commercial fraud and counterfeit goods. Vietnam Customs really wants to share and acknowledge the contribution of APEC countries for these 2 contents.

The VietNamNet Newspaper asked a question about the impact of protectionism to the collection of Customs revenues.

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Mr. Duong Van Tam said, in foreign countries, the State often purchased products of farmers with a higher price for exporting. Accordingly, farmers will enjoy a subsidy in the agricultural sector. Vietnam has also tended to have goods surplus. Therefore, the Government always wants to protect domestic goods to create barriers to prevent goods of other countries.