Director General Nguyen Van Tho: streamlining apparatus to meet the requirements of customs modernization

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Conference to review the state financial and budget work in 2024 and deploy tasks for 2025 of the Ministry of Finance. Photo: KH

Implementing many solutions to facilitate trade

Speaking at the conference to review the state financial and budget work in 2024 and deploy tasks for 2025 of the Ministry of Finance on December 31, 2024, Director General of the General Department of Customs Nguyen Van Tho expressed his agreement with the report on the results of work in 2024 and the direction and tasks for 2025 of the Finance sector.

Reporting on the customs sector, with the achieved results, General Director Nguyen Van Tho said that this was achieved thanks to the consistent and timely leadership of the Party; the Government, the Prime Minister and the close attention and direction of the Ministry of Finance, the coordination of ministries, central and local authorities.

Therefore, the General Department of Customs has synchronously and drastically implemented practical solutions to facilitate trade, remove difficulties for businesses, and ensure customs management.

Specifically, the total value of Vietnam's trade in goods in 2024 is estimated to reach US$786.07 billion, an increase of 15.4% (or US$105 billion) compared to the same period in 2023.

Vietnam's trade balance of goods in 2024 is estimated to have a surplus of US$24 billion. According to the General Director, this is the highest import and export turnover ever.

To achieve this result, the General Department of Customs has implemented many solutions to facilitate trade.

Accordingly, the Customs sector has proactively coordinated closely with ministries and agencies to improve the effectiveness of the National Single Window and the ASEAN Single Window.

At the same time, it has completed the system of legal documents on Customs in the direction of reforming and simplifying administrative procedures and facilitating trade.

The Customs sector has also actively implemented the tasks assigned by the Government in the Pilot Project to deploy the smart border gate model in Lang Son; invested in modern equipment to serve the work of inspection, supervision and control of customs, and enhanced the application of information technology in operations.

Director General of the General Department of Customs Nguyen Van Tho speaks at the Conference. Photo: KH

Regarding import and export, according to the Director General, the Customs sector has implemented solutions to promote exports to increase the export of goods, especially agricultural products - Vietnam's strength.

For example, prioritizing customs clearance procedures for agricultural products and perishable goods, directing local customs units to discuss with localities of neighboring countries to agree to speed up customs clearance through border gates.

In addition, in 2024, the State budget collection work also achieved positive results with total revenue from import-export activities in 2024 estimated at VND 426,000 billion, equal to 113.3% of the assigned estimate, up 15% over the same period in 2023.

Effectiveness of the fight against smuggling and trade fraud

Regarding the fight against smuggling and trade fraud, especially the prevention of illegal drug trafficking and transportation across the border, General Director Nguyen Van Tho assessed that this work has also been effective, contributing to protecting national interests, sovereignty, and public security and safety.

As a result, from December 16, 2023 to December 15, 2024, the Customs sector handled 17,998 cases of violations of Customs law, with an estimated value of infringing goods of VND31,351 billion.

The Customs agency prosecuted 27 cases and transferred 173 cases to other agencies for prosecution and collected VND 893.21 billion to the State budget.

During this period, the Customs sector presided over and coordinated with the Police and Border Guard forces to handle 293 cases and 355 offenders, of which the Customs agency presided over 110 cases. The seized exhibits included 2,278.75 kg of various types of drugs.

Also in 2024, the General Department of Customs effectively implemented international cooperation programs as a member of international organizations.

In particular, the successful organization of the 33rd ASEAN Customs Directors-General Meeting affirmed the role and position of Vietnam Customs and Vietnam in the region and the world.

The Customs sector has also promoted bilateral cooperation with countries that are major trade partners of Vietnam such as the United States, China, Korea, etc.

The conference. Photo: Ministry of Finance

Ensuring that the new apparatus is put into operation immediately

Entering 2025, General Director of the General Department of Customs Nguyen Van Tho stated that the world situation is forecast to continue to have fluctuations, the workload is increasing.

Therefore, to successfully complete the assigned tasks, the General Department of Customs focuses on implementing many tasks.

First, arranging and streamlining the apparatus in accordance with the policies of the Party, the State, and the Ministry of Finance, building a professional and modern Customs force, meeting the requirements of customs modernization reform.

Thereby ensuring that the new apparatus is put into operation immediately, without interruptions and affecting the normal activities of society and people.

Second, focusing resources on reviewing, proposing and organizing the implementation of the construction and completion of institutions, policies and laws related to customs work, specifically: 08 laws, 61 decrees, 15 decisions of the Prime Minister, 83 ministerial-level documents and 373 professional procedures.

Third, focusing resources on performing well the tasks and plans set for 2025.

Paying special attention to leading, directing and completing well the work of collecting state budget and the work of fighting against smuggling and trade fraud.

In particular, focusing on the work of fighting against illegal drug trafficking and transportation across the border.

Fourth, focusing on ensuring the stable operation of the information technology system.

Thereby ensuring the requirements of facilitating trade activities, shortening the time for customs clearance, and minimizing costs for businesses and people.

At the same time, submitting to the Ministry of Finance to accelerate the progress of building the information technology system to implement Digital Customs and Smart Customs.

Fifth, focusing on completing the project of building the Customs headquarters at Long Thanh International Airport on schedule, ensuring quality.

Along with that, preparing the apparatus and human resources to deploy the task as soon as Long Thanh International Airport comes into operation from the beginning of 2026.