With funding from the Government of Japan, the World Customs Organization handed over seven Raman Spectrometers, a hand-held Backscatter X-Ray device and an XRF Precious Metal Analyzer to the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) in a ceremony held at the Goods Verification Office in Hanoi on 14 June 2019. The devices will be used in GDVC’s fight against terrorism including the trafficking of precursor chemicals that may be used in the manufacture of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Prior to the Handover Ceremony, the devices were tested as per specifications agreed between WCO and the suppliers of the technical devices.

Deputy Directors Nguyen Anh Tai and Nguyen Hai and other senior officials of the Vietnam Customs participated in the ceremony on behalf of the GDVC. In his opening remarks, Mr. Tai thanked both the WCO and the Government of Japan for providing the detection devices which will augment Vietnam Customs’ capability to identify precursor chemicals, small arms and light weapons and precious metals being smuggled into the country.

Prior to the Acceptance Test and Handover Ceremony, a five-day National Training on Programme Global Shield (PGS) was held at the same venue. About twenty Customs officials from the Goods Verification Department of GDVC actively participated in the training. Four PGS Trainers who had previously completed WCO train-the-trainers events in the region facilitated the training event.  The training covered a wide range of topics including identification of IED components and precursor chemicals, safety and security of the examining officials, material safety data sheets, placards and safety signs, licensing and permit counterfeits and fraud.

The provision of training and equipment through the Asia/Pacific Security Project, is part of the WCO’s efforts to support its members in the South East Asia and the Pacific Islands to enhance their capacity in Programme Global Shield, Passenger Controls and Air Cargo Security against Small Arms and Light Weapons.