Cooperate closely with trusted stakeholders to effectively respond to future challenges

	Vietnam Customs in strong collaboration with WCO in organizing 2023 WCO Technology Conference and Exhibition
	Employing VRT in transferring knowledge on customs professions
	Viet Nam Customs’ position affirmed by successful hosting of the 2023 WCO Technology Conference and Exhibition

Mr. Ash Bell, Assistant Secretary, Customs and Border Modernization of Australian Border Force. Photo: Tran Anh

Could you please tell me about what emerging technology solutions or trends will bring the best efficiency to customs control at the border in the near future?

I think the big focus has been what artificial intelligence can do for customs. I have been really impressed to see a lot of the dialogue just been about how does this technology work for Customs offices, how do we build it to be a tool that will be effective for people and really be a game changer for our work. I think that is probably going to be a real focus.

In your opinion, to respond to the rapid changes of technology, what should the custom administration prepare for those changes?

In my opinion, to respond to any change we need to make sure that we really have strong stakeholder relationships.

I think that when we attend the WCO 2023 Technology Conference and Exhibition in the beautiful country, it is also an opportunity to meet and exchange information with customs administrations from other countries, experts and academia.

Through the conference, we can know about advanced technology solutions applied at the border as well as the latest technology products of technology suppliers introduced at the event.

I think the more of a trusted stakeholder relationship we have, the more events like this event we can go, the better prepared we are, the better we meet challenges of the future.

What do you think about the role of technology in enhancing custom knowledge transfer to attract and retain talent in custom administration?

I think information technology is moving at such a rapid pace. I think the ability to attract and retain talents and skills we need now and into the future is critical.

We need to ensure that when customs officials hold a value position, that official must have the appropriate qualifications. Therefore, we need to build them and attract talents from the private sector, or coordinate and share specialized knowledge between Customs agencies. The Australian Border Force always focuses on this work and is ready to support Vietnam Customs.

Could you please share those thoughts and feelings about this event hosted by Viet Nam Customs in Ha Noi?

I highly appreciate the organization of the 2023 WCO Technology Conference and Exhibition by Viet Nam Customs. This is a valuable opportunity for me. I think this is an effective working period for the Australian Border Force in Vietnam.

I hope that Vietnam Customs and the Australian Border Force will cooperate more closely in applying modern technology to customs operations to improve efficiency in performing public tasks.

I was so impressed with the opening ceremony. This is a meaningful performance of Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity.

Thank you so much!