Checks on import-export goods overlap

HCMC - Despite much improvement over time, overlapping checks by different agencies on import and export goods have led business costs to swell, according to a recent report of the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

There have been more checks than needed, putting a heavy administrative burden on enterprises, the ministry commented in the report on results of implementation of the Government’s Resolution 19 which is intended to make the business environment more favorable and improve the competitiveness of the economy.

A recent review conducted by the Ministry of Finance found there are currently 414 legal documents on State management and checks. About 30-35% of import shipments must be inspected prior to customs clearance while Resolution 19 targets only 15% this year.

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The reality is that many regulations on inspections have not made State management more efficient and effective. For instance, quarantine and food hygiene rules governing meat imports have resulted in importers shouldering high inspection costs while a mere 1% of shipments have been found to violate the rules.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment said it is irrational to apply same regulations to different types of livestock products imported into Vietnam. Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance issued Circular 285/2016/TT-BTC hiking fees for quarantine inspections, which has led to higher business costs.

Over the years, enterprises have struggled with food safety checks as per the Government’s Decree 38/2012/ND-CP dated April 25, 2012 detailing implementation of regulations in the Law on Food Safety.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment said a small number of ministries and agencies have closely followed Resolution 19 while many others have not heeded the resolution in the process of drafting legal documents and implementing relevant policies.

On a positive note, more localities including Quang Ninh Province and Hanoi have adopted many initiatives to bring into play the measures and policies detailed in the resolution.

To facilitate business, the Government Office, the Ministry of Finance and localities have held dialogues with enterprises to look into their concerns and find coping solutions. However, not all problems have been thoroughly addressed since the Government released the first version of Resolution 19 to improve the business environment.

“Representatives of some enterprises have expressed their disappointment that slow changes at a number of ministries and agencies have impacted the Government’s effort to make the business environment better and improve the nation’s competitiveness,” said the Ministry of Planning and Investment report.

To implement Resolution 19 effectively, the Ministry of Planning and Investment proposed the Prime Minister order the Ministry of Science and Technology to work with other relevant ministries and agencies to review and revise goods quality regulations.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment wants the ministries of finance and agriculture-rural development to consider lowering fees for quality and quarantine veterinary checks. The agriculture ministry should quickly solve problems with quarantine checks on processed livestock products imported into Vietnam as requested by enterprises.

Source: The Saigon Times