GDVC deploys tasks for 2021: mobilise resources to build smart and modern customs model

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GDVC’s Director General Nguyen Van Can concludes the conference. Photo: T.B

Ensure the dual goal

Reviewing the outstanding achievements and performance results in 2020, and key goals and tasks for 2021, Director General Nguyen Van Can said from the beginning of the year, the Customs sector has determined 2020 is a year with advantages, but also many difficulties and challenges in the world and the region related to the customs managment. However, with the attention and direction of the leaders of the Ministry of Finance and the great efforts of all civil servants and employees, the Customs sector has obtained many achievements in all fields.

Typically, the first achievement group is that “in 2020, the building of institutions, projects, schemes submitting to the Government, Ministry of Finance has been basically completed according to the plan and achieved high efficiency,” the Director General said.

Customs continues to promote reform of administrative procedures, trade facilitation, including promoting the application of modern customs management methods and advanced facilities and equipment.

The second outstanding achievement group is revenue collection. Although the National Assembly did not adjust State budget revenue estimates, the Ministry of Finance reported to the Government for reporting to the National Assembly. Accordingly, the National Assembly approved a customs revenue target of VND 300,000 billion in 2020.

“Despites many difficulties, the Customs sector was determined to complete the customs revenue target of VND 300,000 billion. Motivated by solutions for facilitation and measures for combat against revenue loss, we are confident to reach at least VND 315,000 billion in 2020, VND 15,000 billion higher than the figure reported to the National Assembly,” Director General Nguyen Van Can said.

The third achievement group is anti-smuggling and anti- trade fraud results which were emphasised by the Director General.

In 2020, forces in charge of anti-smuggling of the Customs sector, including Post Clearance Audit Department, Inspectorate Department have strictly followed the directions of the Government, the National Steering Committee 389, the Ministry of Finance and the General Department of Vietnam Customs. Accordingly, Customs has destroyed many large cases in all areas and fields.

Notably, in the prevention and combat of drugs, origin fraud, trade fraud, tax evasion, illegal export of goods, banned goods and weapons… The Customs has seized many cases of smuggling and the illegal transportation of goods related to medical equipment and supplies for Covid-19 prevention.

“When the pandemic broke out, smuggled goods cannot be transported via trails and border crossings, there are high risk of transporting cross border gates. When we drastically tackle smuggling at border gates of Quang Ninh, Lang Son, smuggled goods tend to shift to Lao Cai. When we closely control at land border, smuggled goods are shifted to the central. But the Customs sector has promptly identified and actively issued effective fighting plans and schemes,” Director General Nguyen Van Can said.

Anti-smuggling in 2020 continues to show the initiative, determination, and synchronous coordination which affirm the leading role of the customs sector on this hot front.

In addition, the personnel organisation and building, apparatus streamlining, training and improvement of the qualifications of civil servants have achieved many remarkable results.

Build smart customs model

Regarding tasks for 2021, the Director General said that this is a key year for Vietnam Customs in entering a new stage of development. In addition to key tasks and solutions set out in the draft report of the Customs sector and the direction by Deputy Minister of Finance Vu Thi Mai, the Director General noted that the overall and inclusive tasks of the sector for 2021 and the following years are to mobilise resources to implement the new development strategy of Vietnam Customs. In particular, the focus is to implement the scheme of redesigning the overall information technology system (IT) and building a smart and modern customs administration that keeps pace with other developed countries around the world.

To complete and implement the scheme of redesigning the overall information technology system (IT) to ensure efficiency in practice, the Director General requested customs departments, local customs departments continue to research and propose more requirements on operations.

The requirements set by the Director General is that all the necessary operational requirements for the performance of customs officers be processed by the new IT system. Although there are not arising problems, it is necessary to predict the needs posed in the coming time, because the new system applies the achievements of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, and is designed in an open mode to connect with the National Single Window, IT system of ministries and sectors.

Regarding the performance of State revenue collection, the estimated target for 2021 of the Customs sector is VND 315,000 billion. At the conference, Deputy Minister of Finance requested the GDVC make efforts to exceed more than 5% of the target. The Director General requested the whole sector complete the estimated target and desired target assigned by the leader of the Ministry of Finance.

“Motivated by the spirit and achievements in 2020, on behalf of the leaders of the GDVC, I promise the leaders of the Ministry that the Customs will meet the ordinance and desired targets," The Director General expressed his determination.

For anti-smuggling work, the Director General said this is a very heavy task as the scale of smuggling cases is getting bigger and bigger, and at the same time, there are more and more transnational and international criminal organisations. Therefore, the responsibility of the customs sector is also a great burden.

Therefore, the Customs force must continue to raise its responsibility and apply operational measures; comply with regulations of the law and direction of leaders at all levels; and well implement regulations in coordination with competent forces such as the Border Guard, Police, Coast Guard and Market Surveillance.

“The GDVC’s leaders will have specific directions and fighting thematic and specialised plans. Especially continue to promote the fight against origin fraud; combating illegal transportation and trading banned goods like drugs,” The Director General affirmed.

At the same time, the Director General requested that in 2021, the whole sector should be proactive and ready to implement the project "Reforming the Model of Quality Inspection and Food Safety Inspection for Imported Goods"; strengthen personnel building; reform and improve the efficiency of dissemination work.