The first meeting of APEC Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures 2017 in Nha Trang, 21-23/2/2017

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There are Customs delegates from 21 member economics of APEC. Photo: Hoang Anh.

This is the first activitiy in a series of meetings and activities taking place during the year of APEC Vietnam 2017. SCCP meeetings are the most important annual activity of APEC in the area of Customs. This is the second time Vietnam Customs has hosted this signficant event following the success of SCCP meetings in APEC Vietnam 2006. Vietnam Customs considers the hosting of this event not only a key responsiblity of a member economy but also a great honor, which shows the trust of APEC members in Vietnam.

The first SCCP meeting will be attended by more than 50 international delegates from Customs Administrations of APEC economies, the APEC Screteriat, and the Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI).

As one of the sub committees and working groups of CTI, SCCP’s discussion items will closely follow the theme and priorities of APEC and CTI in 2017.

The theme for APEC 2017 is “Creating New Dynamism, Fostering A Shared Future” with focus on major priorties including:

1. Promoting substainable, creative and inclusive growth,
2. Fostering far-reaching regional economic connectivity and integration,
3. Facilitating micro, small and medium-sized enterprises by supporting them to enhance their competitiveness, innovation and participation in the global value chain and
4. Enhancing food security and substainable agriculture to be adaptable to climate change.

In its meeting, the Committee on Trade and Investment will focus on the following priority areas:

1. Progressing towards Bogor goals regading trade facilitation and development of pillars of APEC 2020 agenda,
2. Continuing to enhance implementation of FTA in Asia – Pacific Region,
3. Promoting APEC connection and supply chain connectivity,
4. Facilitating micro, small and medium-sized enterprises,
5. Strengthening auxiliary/supporting industries as well as promoting regional and global value chains, and
6. Promoting liberalisation of services and trade.

Based on the theme and priorties of APEC and CTI in 2017, SCCP has agreed on an agenda for its first meeting with the focus on the following seven items:

- Implementation of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation,

- Deployment of Single Window,

- Development of Authorised Economic Operator programs,

- Application of information technology and risk management in customs management,

- Border management and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights,

- Promoting cross-border e-commerce; and

- Strengthening supply chain connectivity.

SCCP has selected two of the seven items as priorities: (i) ensuring trade security in supply chain with focus on implementation of measures to prevent smuggling, commercial frauds, counterfeits and immitation products; implementation of border enforcement of intellectual property rights and (ii) Faciliting trade by enhanced implementation and finalisation of Single Window.

With these two priorties, Vietnam Customs wishes that counterparts from member economies will together discuss and propose solutions, recommendations and initiatives in the implementation of Single Window and to strengthen information and experience sharing in the prevention of smuggling and trade fraud to successfully perform Customs’ significant role in facilitating trade and securing the regional supply chain.

These are also important objectives in the Common Action Plans (CAP) which SCCP submitted to the APEC Secreteriat for adoption in 2016 with the aim to reduce administrative procedures, save time and costs and bring practical benefits to the APEC business community as well as to reform and modernise customs process. With enhanced experience exchange, capacity building and technical assistance among APEC Customs Administrations, it is expected that SCCP will advance connectivity and effectiveness in regional Customs cooperation.

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In addition to ensuring the success of SCCP meeting agenda and contributing to the overall APEC process, Vietnam Customs also hopes to help promoting the Vietnamese culture and nation to international friends through a number of side activities during this meeting.