Vietnam to Host 33rd ASEAN Customs Directors-General Meeting

Vietnam Customs will host the 33rd ASEAN Customs Directors-General Meeting from June 4 to June 6 in Phú Quốc City, Kiên Giang Province. This significant event will bring together delegations from the customs departments of the ten ASEAN countries, led by their Directors-General. Additionally, Timor Leste Customs will attend as an observer, along with representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat.

High-level officials from partner countries' customs agencies and international organizations, including the World Customs Organization, Australian Customs, Chinese Customs, Korean Customs, and Japanese Customs, will also be present. The private sector will be represented by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, the US-ASEAN Business Council, and the EU-ASEAN Business Council.

Meeting Objectives and Agenda

The meeting, expected to last two and a half days, will cover twelve agenda items focusing on the unification of programs and solutions to achieve the goals outlined in the ASEAN Customs Strategic Development Plan 2021-2025. Key priorities include:

• Exchange of electronic documents via the ASEAN Single Window

• Implementation of the ASEAN Customs Transit System (ACTS)

• Roadmap for the mutual recognition agreement on Authorized Economic Operators within ASEAN

The meeting will also serve as a forum for enhancing dialogue and consultation with partners to achieve objectives aligned with the new phase of economic development. This includes topics such as green customs, building a customs data ecosystem, customs modernization, electronic data exchange, and simplifying customs procedures for low-value shipments.

Vietnam’s Commitment and Preparations

According to a representative from the General Department of Customs, hosting this meeting demonstrates Vietnam's commitment and responsibility as an ASEAN member. It also enhances the position and role of Vietnam Customs as a pillar of the ASEAN economic community, aligning with Vietnam’s policy of active participation in multilateral mechanisms, including ASEAN.

Since becoming an ASEAN member, Vietnam Customs has successfully hosted three ASEAN Customs Directors-General Meetings in 1995, 2004, and 2014. The department is making thorough preparations to successfully organize the fourth meeting and the coordinating committee and technical working group meetings during its chairmanship from June 2024 to June 2025, further enhancing Vietnam’s international image and status.

Future Goals and Initiatives

As the ASEAN Customs Chair for 2024-2025, Vietnam Customs aims to fulfill its responsibilities by actively coordinating and promoting the timely implementation of priorities such as the Single Window, transit systems, and mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operators. The department will encourage member countries to increase information exchange and share experiences, aiming to bridge gaps between member customs agencies.

Vietnam Customs will also actively coordinate with the ASEAN Secretariat and partners for exchanges and consultations, seeking appropriate support resources for implementing ASEAN Customs initiatives, particularly those related to emerging customs management issues.

Vietnam Customs hopes that its contributions will help ASEAN Customs achieve a common goal in the integration process, contributing to the building of a prosperous and sustainable ASEAN Economic Community and realizing ASEAN's vision of "One Vision, One Identity, One Community."

Vietnam’s Economic Growth and ASEAN’s Dynamic Economy

Since joining ASEAN, Vietnam has achieved significant economic growth and development, with its economy expanding nearly 17 times from US$20.8 billion in 1995 to approximately US$430 billion in 2023.

With a population of over 660 million and a GDP of nearly US$3,660 billion in 2022, ASEAN ranks third in Asia and fifth globally after the US, China, Japan, and Germany. ASEAN is currently one of the most dynamic economic regions in the world.