CANCEL INSPECTION FOR 139 AGRO-PRODUCTS HS CODES

Mr. Dang Duy Hien, Deputy Chief of the MARD Office recently has a discussion with the Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper about the results of implementing administrative procedures concerning agro-products import and export.

Dear Sir, how will the Covid-19 pandemic affect the implementation progress of reform tasks for import-export-related administrative procedures of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2021?

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is managing 362 administrative procedures including those related to the import and export of commodities and agro-products. These procedures are all be carried out in online environment, very convenient and open for people and businesses.

On the other hand, the Covid-19 pandemic severely affected economic development as well as freight traffic. In particular, border gates that import and export goods are also affected to a certain extent in matters related to quarantine and quality control.

Despite all challenges, MARD and units under the Ministry always make great effort to maintain the clearance of the electronic network 24/24 to handle administrative procedures and promote the circulation of import and export goods.

So how is the MARD’s current progress of applying HS codes for imported agro-products in service of this strategy?

The inspection of HS codes related to import and export is receiving much attention from leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien has directed the MARD Office together with all units to review related commodities codes and categories.

On September 20th, leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development signed and promulgated Circular 11, stipulating the abolition of inspection for 139/755 HS codes according to regulations, creating favorable conditions for businesses in the agricultural sector.

Since receiving the task, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien has closely instructed units to strengthen the promotion and construction of e-government towards “Digital government.” The next action is to decentralize units in order to achieve the goal of reducing administrative procedures by 20%.

In order to complete the massive workload in 2021 and the following years as Covid-19 may still have more complicated developments. In your opinion, what role will the heads of MARD’s specialized units play in this context?

The year 2021 can be considered special considering the impact of Covid-19. It is the first year of the 2021 - 2030 administrative reform program.

Therefore, in order to fulfill the objectives of administrative reform in the agricultural sector, leaders of each unit play a very important role in ensuring the best conditions in the application of information technology to process dossiers online.

Firstly, heads of units should pay attention to the matter of adequate investment in human resources, professional training, assignment of strict reward regulations for cadres working on administrative procedures.

Secondly, equipment in the network environment must operate smoothly with broad bandwidth so that individuals and businesses can submit documents quickly, accurately and without interruption, particularly on Friday afternoons and weekends.

Thirdly, the head of the unit needs to know how to harmonize and secure the working environment in case Covid-19 occurs but at the same time individuals and businesses can still handle administrative procedures.

Thank you, sir!