The 33rd ASEAN Directors-General of Customs Meeting achieves great success

Deputy Director General Nguyen Van Tho (first from left) talks with delegates at the meeitng. Photo: Tran Anh

Speaking at the closing session, on behalf of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Deputy Director General Nguyen Van Tho expressed sincere thanks to the Directors General and Heads of Customs Delegations of ASEAN member states for attending the meeting, giving practical opinions and developing the meeting’s agenda items on the basis of promoting the principle of consensus in ASEAN. Thanks to that, the meeting quickly achieves a common consensus on implementing ASEAN Customs cooperation activities for the next phases of strategic development.

Deputy Director General Nguyen Van Tho thanked Customs consulting partners and private sector for attending and contributing to the success of the meeting. The consultation mechanism of ASEAN Customs promotes goods results and is valuable resource to help ASEAN Customs quickly complete cooperation goals. Motivated by great efforts made by ASEAN Customs, there will no longer be a difference in development levels and we will support each other for development and cooperate on multilateral cooperation such as WCO, ASEM, APEC…

According to Deputy Director General Nguyen Van Tho, the “Green Customs” initiative of Vietnam Customs has been highly appreciated by business community, especially US-ASEAN Business Council, EU-ASEAN Business Council. Customs administrations and stakeholder parities expect to jointly promote “Green Customs” and build an ASEAN customs environment to facilitate trade, improve the ability to control goods, and ensure security and safety for the community of people and businesses.

The meeting ended successfully after nearly 3 working days. Photo: Tran Anh

As the host of the meeting and an active and responsible member, Vietnam Customs has contributed and cooperated with ASEAN Customs in building AHTN, ASEAN Single Window, ASEAN Customs Transit System, the ASEAN Authorised Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AAMRA) and deployed campaigns and initiatives to cooperate in the fight against smuggling and trade fraud, notably Operation Mekong Dragon.

The meeting updated recent development in ASEAN customs integration, including the signing of the AAMRA in line with WCO SAFE Framework; appreciated the positive results of six member states, including Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Singapore in implementing the AAMRA Pilot program.

The Meeting welcomed Myanmar as the 7th ASEAN Customs Transit System (ACTS) Participating Member State, officially joining the ACTS Live Operation effective from 1 March 2024. Through the meeting, ASEAN Customs encourages all member states to increase public awareness and participation by people to attract more businesses to use ACTS.

As the host of the meeting, Vietnam Customs expects that the Directors-General of Customs, ASEAN Customs colleagues be satisfied with the sincerity and hospitality of Vietnam Customs, Deputy Director General Nguyen Van Tho said.