General Director Nguyen Van Can welcomed Chief Representative of JICA in Vietnam

The view of working session. Photo: H.Nụ

Participating in the meeting and working session were representatives of several units under the General Department of Customs. About JICA, there were Mr. Takahashi, Deputy Resident Representative of JICA; Ms. Naito, Project Manager for the General Department of Customs.

At the meeting, General Director Nguyen Van Can welcomed Mr. Fujita for the first time to visit and work with the General Department of Customs and thanked him for the support of JICA and Japanese Customs for Customs Vietnam during recent time. It has contributed efficiently to reform the process of Customs modernization; especially human resources development for Vietnam Customs and building up information technology systems that serve for cargo clearance and Customs management. This is the basis and driving force of Vietnam Customs to promote modernization reforms in order to meet the Government’s requirements.

General Director Nguyen Van Can also appreciated the role of the automatic electronic clearance system (VNACCS / VCIS) for Vietnam's economy, bringing Vietnam Customs access to the advanced level of the world and with its own efforts, the position of Vietnam Customs has been enhanced in the region. Besides that, VNACCS/VCIS is the administrative system with an important role in Vietnam's economy today; 24/24 operation handling of most shipment's import and export enterprises, including many for Japanese investors in Vietnam. This system has brought major benefits to the society and effective management for Vietnam Customs.

General Director Nguyen Van Can showed his wishes that JICA continue to share their interest and support for the priority objectives of Vietnam Customs, especially considering cost support for Vietnam Customs to adjust the software upgrade , replace hardware, maintenance, and training directly to Customs officials about installing software of VNACCS system and data conversion from old hardware to new hardware, etc.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Fujita, Chief Representative of JICA in Vietnam, said that, in the recent time, the Government of Japan, Japan Customs and JICA had long-term cooperation with Vietnam Customs to strengthen Customs management system and upgrade equipment. VNACCS system is a great success between the two countries in general and businesses in particular.

Before the proposal of the General Department of Customs in the near future, Mr. Fujita recorded and continued to consider the proposals from Vietnam Customs on the procurement list of equipment, software development, sharing knowledge and skills for officers. However, Mr. Fujita said that Vietnam Customs should actively arrange financing for the construction and procurement of equipment for the hardware of the system, and accelerate the procedures for this procurement.