Customs sector: Take initiatives in preventing and fighting corruption and negativeness

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The Deputy Director General of Vietnam Customs, Mr. Nguyen Cong Binh.

Could you show the view of Vietnam Customs about the anti-corruption and anti-negativeness?

The General Department of Vietnam Customs acknowledged that with civil servants and staff always exposed to many economic sectors, companies and people related to exported and imported goods, collection and payment of taxes, fees, charges, so many perpetrators have found many ways to take advantage of Vietnam Customs' staff for trade fraud, smuggling and tax evasion.

The World Customs Organization (WCO) also identified Customs Integrity as the basis of a modern Customs administration.

Therefore, along with the implementation of the central political tasks such as state budget revenues; creating favorable conditions for export-import activities; protecting the sovereignty of national interests, in recent years, the General Department of Vietnam Customs has always identified the anti-corruption work as an important political task which must be implemented regularly, continuously, drastically, publicly and transparently with many solutions, closely linked to building a clean, strong, professional and modern Customs force.

What measures has the General Department of Vietnam Customs done to prevent corruption and negativeness, Sir?

In the past year, party committees and leaders of the General Department of Vietnam Customs considered anti-corruption as one of the political goals in directing the Party's work and professional work to implement synchronously and drastically.

Particularly, the General Department of Vietnam Customs has focused on reform and modernization in order to create favorable conditions for export and import activities, raise the efficiency of State management over customs and at the same time, limited the direct contact between Customs officers and enterprises, such as with the official implementation of automated Customs clearance (VNACCS / VCIS); putting online Customs supervision office into operation (at the head office of the General Department of Vietnam Customs) with surveillance cameras connected with modern monitoring and supervision equipment.

Not only that, from 15 November 2016, the General Department of Vietnam Customs has put ahotline number: 19009299 into operation (the only hotline on behalf of all previous hotlines). The application and publication of hotlines are to improve discipline and prevent corruption and harassment, to effectively support organizations and individuals in export and import activities and promptly handle violations of the Law.

Notably, from the end of 2017, the General Department of Vietnam Customs has been promoting the implementation of automated Customs management systems in seaports and airports. In addition to creating favorable conditions for export and import activities, the system helps the Customs office manage the entire evolution of imported and exported goods at ports, warehouses, yards and the history of shipments from the time of entering into Vietnam.

The General Department of Vietnam Customs has also implemented many IT application programs, such as signing with 37 commercial banks to collect tax electronically and implement electronic tax payment and clearance scheme 24/7; and promote the implementation of the National Single Window and the ASEAN Single Window.

In addition to boosting the application of information technology, the Customs sector continues to issue and publicize many documents on cultural and behavioral demeanour of Customs officers in performing public duties, such as with the regulation on public service activities of Vietnam Customs according to the Decision No. 188 / QD-TCHQ dated 2 February 2017.

Besides, the General Department of Vietnam Customs also promoted the regular rotation and change of working positions at all levels, especially at the Customs Branch level. In addition, if Customs officers are detected with signs or negative feedback related to harassment, they will be handled in accordance with regulations.

Moreover, it shall implement drastic action to combat smuggling and illegal transportation of goods across the border, in order to contribute to the detection and prevention of violations by Customs officers.

Every year, the General Department of Vietnam Customs also plans to conduct internal inspections, anti-corruption, the establishment of an inspection team in the localities.

In the coming time, the General Department of Vietnam Customs will continue to drastically implement the above solutions, especially to enhance the application of IT in the performance of public duties. At the same time, implement regular inspections of public duties, anti-corruption inspections to prevent, detect and handle violations.

President affirms continued anti-corruption efforts The Party and State will increase inspections to detect and strictly deal with corruption cases as well ...

On the other hand, the General Department of Vietnam Customs shall raise the awareness and sense of responsibility of cadres, party members, civil servants and officials in implementing the Anti-corruption Law, and prevention, prevention of negative phenomena, troubles, harassment and corruption in agencies and units. Along with that, attention should be paid to the training and upgrading of professional qualifications for staff in order to meet the requirements in the new situation.

Thank you Sir!