Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya met the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue, at WCO Headquarters on Monday 18 September 2017. The Deputy Prime Minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation including a number of Vice Ministers. They discussed a wide range of topics relating to economic competitiveness and Customs modernization during the meeting.

The Deputy Prime Minister introduced current initiatives of Vietnam for trade facilitation and Customs modernization, in particular the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) as well as the National Single Window and ASEAN Single Window. He emphasized Vietnam’s considerable efforts to reduce the time and cost of Customs clearance in order to improve the business environment and economic competitiveness. He also referred to Vietnam’s contribution and initiatives at international level, including encouraging trade facilitation and the trade security agenda in its capacity as the host of APEC 2017. He thanked the WCO for its support to date and urged continued cooperation in order to accelerate Customs modernization in Vietnam. 

Secretary General Mikuriya commended Vietnam’s progress in respect of Customs modernization and trade facilitation, and expressed the WCO’s willingness to assist with the implementation of the TFA, by mobilizing its tools and expertise, in order to contribute to enhanced economic competitiveness. He also explained the important role of Customs as a leading agency for Coordinated Border Management and private sector engagement to achieve a better business environment.  He also appreciated Vietnam’s commitment to enhance trade security, and undertook to continue cooperating under the Security Project for South East Asia in order to ensure a safe and secure business environment.