Vietnam Customs receives Commodity Identification Training equipment funded by the US

Participating in the ceremony were Chirstopher Klen – Deputy Chief of Mission of U.S Embassy Hanoi, Deputy Director General of Vietnam Customs Luu Manh Tuong and representative of leaders of Departments under the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

The U.S Government handed over training equipment including laptops, projectors and speakers. with a total value of $40,000 (equivalent to more than VND 900 million).

According to the International Cooperation Department, Vietnam has been participating in cooperation programmes related to trade security, counterterrorism and global security protection such as: EXBS cooperates with the US, chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear risk mitigation (CBRN) with the EU, cooperation on the prevention of mass proliferation with BAFA (Germany). Among them, one of the effective cooperation programmes is that the EXBS cooperates with the US.

Over the years, within the framework of EXBS, the US government has had many activities to support Vietnam Customs to strengthen its capacity to prevent illegal trade in goods used for destructive weapons.

Chirstopher Klen – Deputy Chief of Mission of U.S Embassy Hanoi and Deputy Director General of Vietnam Customs Luu Manh Tuong cut the ribbon in the ceremony. Photo: Văn Tá

The support from the US government is provided in many forms, such as training and raising awareness; assist in reviewing legal grounds related to strategic trade controls; supporting on developing teaching materials on the identification of dual-use goods and sponsoring a number of equipment including hand-held appliance and scanning equipment for goods and vehicles and passengers on exit and entry.

Through this cooperation, Vietnam has affirmed its consistent point of view in the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and prevention of terrorism. At the same time demonstrating its responsibility in international cooperation, especially by ensuring security and safety for the community in the region and across the world.

In that spirit, the General Department of Vietnam Customs committed to create all conditions to support the Vietnam Customs School by ensuring the most effective management and use of training equipment to gain knowledge and skills in terms of preventing illegal transport of dangerous materials, preventing terrorism and smuggling.

With modern training systems, in tandem with efforts to facilitate trade and import-export activities, the efficiency of customs management and control will be improved. From that, contributing to ensuring national security and safety, and the security of supply chains in the region and in the world.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Director General Luu Manh Tuong expressed his sincere thanks to the entire team of US experts for supporting Vietnam Customs within the framework of EXBS; giving his thank to the agencies of the US government for giving Vietnam Customs valuable support and assistance to ensure the security and stability of Vietnam in particular and the region as well as the world. He would like to continue to receive cooperation and assistance from the US in the customs reform and modernisation process.