 |
| Scene of the dialogue. Photo: H.Nụ |
Active support
Speaking at the conference, Director of Lang Son Customs Department Nguyen Hong Linh said that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it posed a serious impact on the world economy, and disrupted the supply chain of goods.
In particular, the “Zero Covid” policy of China continues to be carried out, which maintained border barriers, restricting imports and exports, and immigration.
Meanwhile, the delivery and receipt of goods by a new method (each border gate implements one method) has reduced clearance capacity, greatly affecting import-export activities of enterprises through the province as well as resulting in a sharp decrease in turnover and state revenue compared to the time before the pandemic.
Faced with that situation, Lang Son Customs Department proactively chaired and closely coordinated with competent forces and enterprises operating yards in the area to regularly exchange and hold talks with Chinese authorities to restore import-export activities at border gates that were closed due to Covid-19 pandemic, requesting the Chinese side extend the opening time of border gates and work on holidays; actively implement many solutions to facilitate import and export activities, improve clearance capacity and efficiency in customs management at border gates.
In addition, to accompany businesses, Lang Son Customs established a group to support cargo clearance for Covid-19 pandemic prevention; participate in the Inter-sectoral Working Group to assist in solving difficulties and problems in import and export activities at Huu Nghi and Tan Thanh border gates; actively work with provincial departments and agencies to exchange and hold talks with Chinese authorities to request the reopening of border gates; discuss solutions to facilitate the import-export of goods, especially agricultural products of Vietnam and goods which are raw materials, electronic components and imported trucks.
Moreover, Lang Son Customs Department recommended to the General Department of Vietnam Customs and Vietnam Railways Authority on the investment, upgrading and expansion of places for storing cargo, talks with the Chinese railway industry to arrange the provision of wagons, arrange appropriate train schedules, improve the capacity of cargo clearance of import and export goods through Dong Dang International Railway Station.
At the same time, Lang Son Customs Department has regularly disseminated and informed about legal documents, regulations on legal policies, customs modernization reform and administrative procedures related to import-export activities for the business community in many forms.
In particular, Lang Son Customs has actively guided enterprises to declare VAT rates following Decree 15/2022/ND-CP; Circular 28/2021/TT-BYT of the Ministry of Health; Circular 16/2021/TT-BNNPTNT of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Decree 111/2021/ND-CP amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree 43/2017/ND-CP of the Government on goods labels.
Notably, Lang Son Customs answered questions about new regulations under Decree 98/2021/ND-CP on the management of medical equipment, effective from January 1, 2022; questions about the identification of imported agricultural machinery and equipment to apply the VAT rate at 0%, and questions about cases where tax is not collected.
Continue to find solutions
Speaking at the conference, Mr. Huynh Van Long, Director of Bao Long Co., Ltd. assessed that the support of Lang Son Customs Department for the enterprises’ operation is very helpful.
In particular, when enterprises have problems, they always receive support and guidance as well as find the fastest solutions from Lang Son Customs. Especially, Tan Thanh Customs officers have always accompanied the development of enterprises.
However, according to Mr. Huynh Van Long, at present, the infrastructure and services were still limited, and not commensurate with the potential and the strong development of the economy. Therefore, it is proposed that the Customs office, together with other departments, sectors and People’s Committees of the province promote the development of services and the economy of Lang Son province.
Also mentioning the support of the Customs authority for import-export activities of enterprises, Mrs. Trinh Tu Anh, Director of An Do Co., Ltd emphasized that due to the pandemic, the company’s sales had a sudden increase (VND35 billion/month). To achieve this result, there was the companionship of the Customs authority. Although the pandemic situation is complicated and the Chinese side has temporarily suspended the operation of many border gates, enterprises have to find new locations to carry out customs procedures for imported goods to ensure that there are enough raw materials for efficient production.
In particular, An Do Co., Ltd. acknowledged the companionship and support of Lang Son Customs in the import-export activities of enterprises.
In the future, An Do Co., Ltd. will continue to accompany and choose to import and export goods through the border gates of Lang Son province. An Do Co., Ltd. also hopes that Lang Son Customs will coordinate with provincial departments and agencies to discuss with the Chinese side to cut costs for businesses.
According to Mr. Nguyen Hong Linh, with the motto of accompanying businesses to overcome difficulties and challenges, Lang Son Customs wished to understand difficulties and obstacles, thoughts and aspirations of enterprises through dialogues and conferences in order to jointly find solutions to solve and help businesses overcome immediate difficulties, towards long-term and sustainable development goals.
Furthermore, Lang Son Customs would continue to promote the Customs – Business partnership to support and promptly solve difficulties and problems arising in import-export activities with the goal of facilitating import-export activities, accompanying and sharing with businesses to overcome difficulties and challenges.