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Director of Customs IT and Statistics Department Le Duc Thanh. |
Why is digital transformation required in the current context?
The application of IT of the Customs sector has gained major achievements, contributing to trade facilitation and improving the efficiency of customs control, which is appreciated by the business community, people and state management agencies.
The General Department of Vietnam Customs was awarded the Outstanding Digital Transformation State Agency in 2019 by the Vietnam Digital Communications Association (VDCA).
The General Department of Vietnam Customs has drastically performed work related to digital transformation to meet development requirements in the new period and in line with the digital transformation policy and plan of the Government and the Ministry of Finance, technology application of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, the development trend of Customs administrations of developed countries around the world and the digital customs model launched by the World Customs Organization (WCO).
An agency or organization can implement digital transformation through the use of available resources and technical systems to digitize all its information assets, restructure operational processes and organizational structure and transform operations from the traditional to the digital environment.
People are the center of digital transformation. Smart mobile devices are the main means of people in the digital world. Institutions and technology are the drivers of digital transformation.
In addition, the development of a digital platform is a breakthrough solution to promote faster digital transformation, reduce costs, and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of customs control.
Network safety is the key task to accomplish digital transformation.
What is the goal of the digital transformation of the Customs sector?
WCO selected 2022 as the year to promote Customs digital transformation. To meet requirements on digital transformation under goals set out in the Government Decision 749/QD-TTg dated June 3, 2020, the Customs sector strives to develop Digital Customs and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations with expected goals as follows:
The sector completes the construction of IT systems meeting the requirements of implementing Digital Customs. Accordingly, the whole customs process for imports, exports and means of transport on exit and entry will be controlled by the digital technology platform.
The IT system will be developed in the direction of centralized processing, meeting the requirements of expanding the National Single Window, ASEAN Single Window and International Single Window, connecting and exchanging information between Customs and related ministries, government agencies and parties participating in the trade supply chain.
100% of administrative procedures with high demand for use are provided online at level 4 and performed on various devices. Customs will perform services 24/7 and service online at any time. The online public services at level 4 are consistent with the National Public Service Portal and integrated into the National Public Service Portal.
100% of administrative procedures for licensing, specialized inspection for export, import and transit goods are carried out via the National Single Window.
95% of customs documents are converted into electronic data, towards digitization.
100% of eligible administrative procedures are processed online at level 4.
100% of online public services are designed and redesigned, which allows users to use pre-filled data.
What are the solutions to achieve these goals?
To fulfill the task of the digital transformation, the Customs sector faces a heavy workload. The sector must continue to improve the legal framework, enhance the quality of digital infrastructure, improve IT platforms, databases, applications and services, protect information security and develop human resources.
Promote communication, raise awareness and digital skills, enhance interaction with people and businesses; accelerate the research and mastery of core technologies of the Industrial Revolution 4.0; attract information technology resources; and provide financial solutions.
In addition, we must expedite cooperation, share experiences and strengthen international cooperation, learn from the experience of customs administrations of advanced countries to promote the application of technological solutions in the execution of Customs information technology systems.
The GDVC administers and manages the implementation of the digital transformation plan in accordance with the approved plan.
Strengthen coordination with state management agencies and relevant organizations to effectively implement Customs IT application; regularly and periodically check and evaluate the performance of digital transformation and shortcomings to provide timely solutions.
Thanks, Sir