Implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Vietnam Customs and Indian Customs

Prior to this, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Narendra Modi, from July 30 to August 1, 2024, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid a state visit to India.

On this occasion, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in customs competence building between the General Department of Vietnam Customs and the CBIC (hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Parties" and individually as "Party").

Accordingly, pursuant to the Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Republic of India on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters signed on September 15, 2014, the leaders of the two countries have considered that cooperation in customs competence building could support the enhancement of the capacities of the two agencies and bring benefits to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of India in facilitating trade, ensuring supply chain security and revenue collection, and other matters of mutual benefit to the Parties.

The MoU affirms the important role of customs authorities in effective financial management and social welfare. At the same time, it seeks to improve the performance and efficiency of the customs authorities of the Parties to facilitate trade and effectively control cross-border economic activities through the use of international instruments, the application of best practices, competence building, and reform and modernization programs.

On August 1, 2024, in New Delhi, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks. Photo: VGP

The Memorandum further stipulates that the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN) is a premier competence building institution under CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs) of the Government of India, aimed at providing training in areas such as customs, goods and services tax, and narcotics control. Notably, NACIN is also a Regional Training Center of the World Customs Organization (WCO) for the Asia-Pacific region and has cooperation agreements with other international organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Environment Programme, and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SASEC).

Meanwhile, the Vietnam Customs School is a competence building institution under the Vietnam Customs (Ministry of Finance, Government of Vietnam) with the objective of providing training on customs matters.

The MoU is signed to provide a framework for cooperation between the Parties to strengthen the competence of the Vietnam Customs to implement and sustain reform, modernization, and competence building initiatives. Therefore, CBIC designates NACIN to implement the cooperation activities under this MoU, and Vietnam Customs designates the Vietnam Customs School to implement the cooperation activities under this MoU.

To implement the MoU, the General Department of Vietnam Customs requests the Vietnam Customs School to designate a focal point to liaise with Indian Customs; to lead in developing, coordinating, and organizing training programs under the MoU. Additionally, it shall, in conjunction with other units, identify the areas, topics, training content, methods, and forms of training to be included in the annual competence building cooperation program with Indian Customs.

Moreover, it shall, in coordination with the Department of Personnel and Organization, develop an annual detailed training plan with Indian Customs through online training, receiving Indian experts for teaching, and sending officials to India for training; provide information to support the design, implementation, and evaluation of activities related to the identified competence building program; and exchange experiences on the management and organization of training programs.

The General Department of Vietnam Customs also requests the Customs Supervision and Control Department to coordinate with the Customs Research Institute, the International Cooperation Department, and the Vietnam Customs School to cooperate with Indian Customs in research on trade facilitation and supply chain security; exchange information and experience on the use of non-intrusive inspection equipment.