Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on November 13 told authorities in the central province of Quang Tri to speed up work on an one-stop-shop ( OSS ) model at the border gate with Laos.

The model aims to minimise the number of offices one has to visit as well as the amount of paperwork to complete at the international border gates in Lao Bao and Savanakhet province’s Densavan.

The model is scheduled to have a trial run next January.

The Deputy PM said a number of problems could hinder the implementation of the model as the two countries have not been able to sign an agreement on the procedures and certificates of medical quarantine or customs papers.

The infrastructure and facilities to serve customs officers at the border gates are still inefficient, he said.

Phuc also urged the province to focus on mobilising human resources for the model, promising that if necessary, the Government will consider supporting the province further.

Noting that the OSS model aims to create favourable conditions for people to travel and transport goods, Phuc said the province should keep close eye on smuggling, trade fraud and drug trafficking through the border.

Vietnam and Laos signed a memorandum of understanding on the OSS model in 2005 and officially started work in 2012.

Earlier, the national steering committee of the ASEAN one-stop-shop mechanism launched a project to create national single windows (NSW) at international seaports.

A single window allows trading partners to declare imports/exports when transiting to and from their countries at only one service point.

Deputy PM Vu Van Ninh highlighted the significance of the project, which comes at a time when Vietnam is becoming increasingly integrated into the world.

The adoption of single windows sets the scene for Vietnam to become one of the region’s leaders in terms of reforming and simplifying administrative procedures for import-export products, entrance and exit, and transit.

Eight different ministries and sectors are involved in the procedure. They are expected to join the system and promote Vietnam ’s prompt connection to the ASEAN Single Window (ASW) mechanism.

The system will initially be applied at seaports in Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria-Vung Tau./.