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At the 33rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Customs Directors-General Meeting, Satvinder Singh, deputy secretary-general of ASEAN, said that in recent years, Vietnam has played an active role in promoting regional customs integration.

The mutual recognition agreement on priority businesses is one of the important initiatives within ASEAN, aiming to reduce the burden on businesses and promote the circulation of goods. Vietnam's participation in this agreement is important.

Satvinder Singh, deputy secretary-general of ASEAN. Photo: VGP

Satvinder Singh said Vietnam assumes the role of chair of the ASEAN Customs Directors-General Meeting during an important period. The ASEAN region is changing rapidly in areas such as digital transformation and the shift to sustainability. Facilitating paperless trade is also an effective way to reduce carbon emissions in the supply chain.

During Vietnam's chairmanship, he recognizes that ASEAN customs can implement the mutual agreement on priority businesses. The improvement of e-commerce information exchange between customs businesses will hopefully be achieved during Vietnam's term.

In addition, during this term, Vietnam also needs to work with the customs of ASEAN countries to complete the Customs Development Strategic Plans for the period 2026-2030, as well as the vision for the following years.

"In 2023, ASEAN attracts the most FDI in the world, reaching US$230 billion, surpassing China in attracting investment. To continue this, we need to facilitate trade, in which customs plays an important role.

During this term, Vietnam also played a leading role in the joint customs campaign among ASEAN member countries. I think Vietnam will succeed and overcome the challenges ahead," Satvinder Singh said.

At the event. Photo: VGP

Deputy Secretary-General Satvinder Singh said that ASEAN customs has an important responsibility in enhancing the economic competitiveness of the region, through the ability to ensure the trade circulation of goods across borders.

The ASEAN region depends heavily on trade activities, with a trade value of US$3,800 billion, making it one of the largest trade regions in the world.

Regional trade growth is predicted to reach 5% of regional GDP until 2030. The potential is huge, not only for regional trade but also with the whole world. One of the important factors is the free circulation of goods within the region and with trading partners.

The trade facilitation role of customs is important. ASEAN has the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), which is being negotiated to upgrade, expected to be completed in 2025.

"We are becoming the world's largest trading region, with many countries around the world shifting their supply chains to our region. They need goods to flow smoothly across borders. That is the role and impact that customs can bring to regional economic growth," said ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General.

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