Japan-funded E-customs Project to Facilitate Vietnam Trade, Investment

The Vietnam Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System and the Vietnam Customs Information System (VNACCS/VCIS), funded by Japanese government, will help facilitate trade and investment activities in Vietnam, said General Director of the General Department of Vietnam Customs Nguyen Ngoc Tuc.The project will also help Vietnam implement a one-stop customs system that links Vietnam with other ASEAN countries in addition to improving customs management efficiency, Mr. Tuc added.In late March 2012, Japan signed an agreement to grant JPY2.66 billion ($33 million) to Vietnam to help the latter build an electronic customs clearance procedure (e-customs) system and implement a one-stop customs system.Under the agreement, Japan will train Vietnamese personnel to deploy the VNACCS/VCIS within three years and transfer the technology to Vietnam.Japan would also send experts to help Vietnam establish a long-term strategy on information technology and information technology applications.These experts would review the legal framework and make necessary adjustments to increase the capacity of Vietnam’s customs officers.Vietnam started applying electronic customs (E-customs) procedures at all customs offices across the country on January 1, 2013 after a seven-year pilot.Statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs showed that 41,592 businesses nationwide used e-customs in 2012. (www.vov.vn Feb 21, www.baohaiquan.vn Feb 14)