Promoting ASEM customs cooperaion

	13th Meeting of ASEM Customs Directors-General and Commissioners
	ASEM 13 confirms cooperation and compliance with international commitments in Customs
	53 customs delegations of countries attending ASEM 13 in Quang Ninh

WCO Secretary General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya. Photo: H. Nu

The ASEM Customs Action Plan 2020-2021 imposes many challenges, what are they in your opinion? What do you think about the role of Vietnam Customs in this period?

The discussion in this meeting is under the cooperation framework between Asian countries and European countries, and between Singapore and its partners. In this meeting, countries will adopt a new action plan. The first is connectivity. We need the connectivity of countries in Asia and Europe aschallenges on using new technologies and e-commerce arecoming. We should take advantage of this opportunity to facilitate businesses.

The other area is creating an ideal business environment forbusinesses. There are many representatives from Europe shifting their attention to investment in Asian countries, especially Vietnam. Currently, Vietnam has a Free Trade Agreement with Europe. This is a change for European investors to access Vietnam.

Besides the agreement, procedures and border management arealso a concern. Because if border management and operation is not smooth, it will cause difficulties for investors.

Vietnam has many changes in promoting connectivity in Customs management and it can be seen as a typical country for calling for foreign investment. This connectivity is not for the customs but for business.

The border management should be promoted because there are more and more illegal transshipments of drugs, wildlife and even waste across border.

If the Customs performs border management well, it will ensure safety for citizens and the business community. To do this, it needs good cooperation among countries in imports, exports and transit.

In conclusion, connectivity, ensuring business environment and control of illicit trade are the main contents for competent authorities to protect the benefits, health of citizens and the community. However, the allocation of resources to these tasks is also a challenge for all Customs authorities. We need cooperation in the private sector. The cooperation is key at this Meeting.

Vietnam is typical in cooperating with many countries and especially the EU and the cooperation is increasing. Thus, I am sure that Vietnam shares practices for Asian countries but also for European countries on connectivity.

One of the most important goals of Customs administrations is Green Customs, in order to prevent illegal transshipment of waste materials, could you please share with us international experiences in this area?

Green Customs is an interest, especially plastic waste. WCO actsas a regulator to connect andstrengthen the cooperation between importing countries and exporting countries in this area through agreements and joint cooperation or information sharing. For example, at the United Nations, there are many conventions on environmental protection relating to management of waste and chemicals. In this regard, cooperation is key. Customs authorities also expect to work with the WCO in this area.

Waste management may be an initiative for cooperation among ASEM countries. Inmy experience in coordinating cooperation activities in this area, the importing country always need information on risk and intelligence to analyze shipments. On the other hand, it is difficult for exporters in the Europe because they have separate regulations on information management for each industry and they can deposit risks of waste that can arise during the production. This is a difficult question. But now, general awareness is also changing, especially about the environment, so that we can have a sustainable business environment and towards a healthy life for all people.

Currently, in Europe, there has been a big change in their awareness. They have to do something on protecting the environment, especially waste management. This is a great opportunity for the two sides to enhance mutual cooperation, at the same time disseminating awareness of the environment to consumers. Each consumer should change their behavior. It will impact the manufacturing industry and the community.

In this area, Customs plays a big role and I hope that after this ASEM meeting, countries will adopt many cooperation agreements in this area.

The implementation of Single Window in the context of extending application of artificial intelligence and block chain. In your point of view, does Vietnam have thecapacity to apply it?

I am sure that Vietnam Customs will apply artificial intelligence and blockchain because Vietnam has a good VNACCS, while some other countries are trying how to upgrade this system. Blockchain technology is not too complex, but it needs trust of the participating parties.

Currently, there are several systems piloting blockchain technology. This needs participation of both businesses and customs. Vietnam Customs always pays attention to improving partnerships with business, increasing trust between business with customs. With such trust, I am confident that Vietnam will successfully apply blockchain and make the Single Window effective.

Artificial intelligence is also a new and interesting technology. It needs data storage for accurate analysis. How to get trusted data and how does Customs get it. Vietnam Customs has been making progress in getting valuable information and data due to close relationships with the private sector.

I believe that Vietnam can absolutely apply artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies forthe Single Window. I hope that Vietnam will be typical for successful application of ASEAN Single Window. With the regional single window, it also opens opportunities for not just Vietnam but for ASEAN countries. And it isalso a chance for exporting countries, not for goods but for passengers, because I found that Vietnam has large volume of tourists. It will facilitate the flow of goods and passengers at airports, seaports and borders.

E-Commerce is a global trend, is it difficult for Vietnam to catch this trend?

Yes, of course. E-commerce in small packaging transactions is a challenge for many countries. Customs authorities need to facilitate more e-commerce goods, small and medium size enterprise engaging this business form while preventing the illicit transportation of goods.

The solution is that we apply technologies, analyze information before goods arrival to classify risk. Vietnam Customs has good technologies, good human resources and the cooperation in ASEM, I believe that we will gain good results in e-commerce for small and medium size enterprises and consumers.

What do you think about the role of Vietnam in the organization of this event?

The meeting is very important. It connects Asia and Europe. Asia is very good at production development, on the other hand European countries have good results in regional integration.

In addition to the connectivity between the two regions, at the same time, the meeting aims to protect citizens from trade fraud, illegal trade of wildlife, waste, IPR protection. This meeting gives future directions and partnerships between two regions.

Vietnamis a leading role, because ithas recently signed the European–Vietnam Trade Agreement. Therefore, it is for connectivity between Asia and Europe. Thus, this is why Vietnam’s role is important to organize the meeting.