Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung led ceremonies implementing the country’s National Single Window (NSW) and its technical connection to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Single Window customs system in Hanoi on September 8.
The event was also attended by Deputy Prime Ministers Vu Van Ninh and Pham Binh Minh, ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh, and representatives from the ministries and ASEAN member-countries’ embassies in Vietnam, according to a report by the government-owned VGP News.
Ninh, also head of the National Steering Committee for ASEAN and National Single Window Mechanism (CSWM), stressed that the launch was a significant step for the country toward administrative reform and e-government implementation.
He added that it will promote restructuring of the economy and a shift in the growth model, elevate productivity, and contribute to regional and international integration.
The ASEAN-linked national single window is important in order to simplify and facilitate administrative procedures according to international practices and standards, and boost trade, tourism, and investment, while affirming Vietnam’s commitment to realizing the ASEAN Economic Community by the end of this year, Ninh said.
The official asked the CSWM, relevant ministries, and agencies to work closely to fully integrate the NSW into the ASEAN Single Window (ASW) as planned.
He also asked relevant agencies and ministries to continue enhancing the NSW mechanism in all sectors and with all ASEAN member countries, review and legalize local regulations to align them with international agreements, as well as enhance collaboration between local and international agencies to make the mechanism useful and effective for people and businesses.
According to the CSWM, the NSW is being implemented in three phases with the aim to connect nine ministries to the system. As of August 27, nearly 1,940 businesses have begun conducting declaration procedures on the NSW.
Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam have so far announced their NSWs as committed, while Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam have stated their readiness to link up with the ASW from December.
The ASW is expected to expedite cargo clearance within the region by integrating and automating member countries’ national customs processes and to effect a more transparent way of doing business.
